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HI   S   T    O    R    Y 

.;1,,/.  Of  the  WORK  of     ^-•-— <^-;:/ 

REDEMPTION. 

CONTAINING, 

The  Outlines  of  a  Body  of  Divinity^ 

In  a  Method  entirely  neiiV* 


By  the  late  Rexerend 
Mr.   JONATHAN    EDWARDS, 

Pfcfident  of  the  College  cf  Vvw  Jerjty 


4 


EDINBURGH    Printed  : 

BOSTON  :  Reprinted  by  Draper  Sc  Potsoji'j 
near  the  Market, 

M.  DCCLXXXJL 


PREFACE. 

IT  has  long  been  dciired  by  the  friend? 
of  Mr.  Edwards,  that  a  ninnbcr  of  his 
manufcripts  ih mid  be  puhliilied  ;  but  the 
difad vantage   under  which  all  poithumous 
publications  mud  neceilarily  appea4%   and 
the  difficuky  of  getting  any  conflderabla 
work  printed  in  this   infant  country,   hi- 
therto have  proved  fufficient   obilaclcs  to 
the   execution    of  fuch  a   propofal.      The 
firll:  of  thefe  obftacles  made  me  doubt,  for 
a  confiderable  time  after  thefe  manufcripts 
came  into  my  hands,  whether  I  could  con^ 
lillently   with  that  regard  which  I  owe  to 
the  honor  of  fo  worthy  a  parent,  fuffer  any 
of  them  to  appear  in  the  workU    However 
being  diffident  of  my  owafentiments,  and 
doubtful  whether  1  were' not  over-jealous 
in  this  matter,   I  determined  to  fubmit  to 
the  opinion  of  gentlemen,  who  are  friends 
both  to  the  charafter  of  Mr.  Edwards  and 
to  the    caufe  of  truth.      The  confequence 
was,     that    they    gave    their    advice  for 
publifliing   them. 

The  other  obftacle  was  removed  by  a 
gentleman  in  the  church  of  Scotland, 
who  was  formerly  a  correfpondent  of  Mr, 
Edwards.  He  engaged  a  bookfeller  to 
undertake  the  work,  and  alfo  lignified 
bis  defire  that  thefe  following  difcourfes 
in  particular  might  be  made  public. 

Mr- 


P     U     E     F     A     C     E. 

Mr.Edwards  had  planned  a  body  of  di- 
vinity, ill  a  new  mcihod,  and  in  the  form 
of  a  hiilory  ;  in  whtiihe  was  firit  to  fllovv, 
how  the  moil  remarkable  events,  in  all 
ages  from  the  fail  lo  theprefent  times,  re- 
corded in  facred  and  profane  hidory,  were 
adapted  to  promote  the  work  of  redemp- 
tion ;  and  then  to  trace,  by  the  light  of 
fcrlprure-prophecy,  how  the  fiime  work 
Ibould  be  yet  further  carried  on  even  to 
the  end  of  the  world.  His  heart  was  fo 
much  fet  on  executing  this  plan,  that  he 
was  confiderably  averfe  to  accept  the  pre- 
iidentfliip  of  Prince-town  college,  left  the 
duties  of  that  office  fliould  put  it  o;it  ot 
his  power. 

The  out  lines  of  that  work  are  now 
offered  to  the  public,  as  contained  in  a  fe- 
ries  of  fermons,  preached  at  Northampton 
in  1739*,  without  any  view  to  pubiicati* 
on.  On  that  account,  the  reader  cannot 
reafonably  expeft  all  that  f/om  them, which 
he  might  juftly  have  expelled,  had  they 
been  written  with  fuch  a  view,  ar.d  prepa- 
red by  the  Authors  o\yn  hand  for  the  prefs. 

^s  to  elegance  of/compolltion,  which 
h  now  elteemed  Co  eltcniirtl  to  all  publicati- 
ons, it  is  well  known,  that  the  author  did 
not  make  that  his  chief  iludy.      However, 

his 

*'  Thrs  '^  nccfiiT^r^  to  be  rffmetnbcrcd  l5y  the  'ead^r,  in  crdcr  to 
'.I  f^me  chrt!iiO::4giCalobrcfv?fU;n3  in  the  fcilcwiDg  woik» 


PREFACE.  v; 

his  other  writings,  though  deftitute  of  the 
ornaments  of  fine  language,  have  it  fcems 
that  iblid  merit,  which  has  procured  both 
to  thcmfelves  and  to  him  a  confiderable  re- 
putation in  the  world,  and  with  many  aa 
high  eltcem.  It  is  hoped  that  the  reader 
will  find  in  thefe  dilcourfes  many  traces 
of  plain  good  fenfe,  found  reafoning,  and 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  facred  oracles^ 
and  real  unfeigned  piety  :  and  that,  as  the 
plan  is  new,  and  many  of  the  fentiments 
uncommon,  they  may  afford  entertain- 
ment and  improvement  to  the  ingenious, 
the  inquifitive,  and  the  pious  reader;  may 
confirm  their  faith  in  God's  government 
of  the  world,  in  ourholyChriftianreligioa 
in  general,  and  in  many  of  its  peculiar 
dortrines  ;  may  aflilt  in  ftudying  with 
greater  pleafure  and  advantage  the  hifto- 
rical  and  prophetical  books  of  fcripture  ; 
and  may  excite  to  a  converfation  become- 
in  g  the  gofpel. 

That  this  volume  may  produce  thefe 
happy  effects  in  all  who  Ihall  perufe  it,  is 
the  hearty  dcfire  and  prayer  of 

The  reader's  moft  humble  fervant,' 

Ncwhaven^  Feb*  25 • 

1773- 

Jonathan  Edwards. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

THEY  who  have  a  reliQi  for  the  ftudy 
of  the  fcriptnrcs,  and  have  accefs  to 
perufe  the  following  flieets,  will,  I  am  per- 
fiiaded,  deem  themfelves  much  indebted  to 
the  Reverend  Mr.    Edwards  of  Newhaven 
for  confenting  to  publifli  them.      Though 
the  acute  philofopher  and  deep  divine  ap- 
pears in  them,  yet  they  are  in  the  general 
better  calculated  for  the  inftruaion  and  im- 
provement of  ordinary  Chriftians,  than  thofe 
of  Preiident  Edward's  writings,  where  the 
abftrufe  nature  of  the  fubjec%  or  thefubtle 
objeaions  of  oppofers  of  the  truth,  led  him 
to  more  abttraft   and  metaphyfical  reafon- 
ings.      The  manufcript  being  intruded  to 
my  care,  I  have  not  prefumcd  to  make  any 
Change  in  the  fentiments  or  compofition, 
I  have,  however,  taken  the  liberty  to  reduce 
it  from  the  form  of  fermons,  which  it   ori- 
ginally bore,  to  that  of  a  continued  trea- 
tife  ;  and  I  have  fo  altered  and  diverfified 
the  marks  of  the  feveral  divxfions  and  fub- 
divifions,  that  each  clafs  of  heads  might  be 
cafily  dlftinguifhed. 

Edinburgh,  yipril  29 • 

1774.  John  Erskine. 


CONTENTS. 

Page: 
Gentral  intrcdu^ion,  ..-w        -      ^-^       -  6, 

PERIOD        I. 

Ffcm  tU  fall  to  the  incarnation  of  Chrifi,  ,     -       •'     l8 

PART        L 
From  ihs/all  to  ths  flood,       .^        -        m      #      ^      ^      XJi 

PART        11. 

Froin  the  flood  to  thi  calling  of  AhraKavt,  -  34. 

PART       IIL 

from  tht  calling  of  Abraham  to  Moftt,  4X0 

p    A    R    T        IV, 

Wnm  Mofet  to.  David,     -  -  -  -         --      53* 

PART       V, 

Fr9m  David  to  tht  BabyUnifh  captivity f  11* 

PART        VI. 

From  th  Bahylonijh  captivity  to  the  coming  of  Chrift,  100. 

IMPROVEMENT. 

Uf miration,  exctlUncy,  and  ujtfulneft  cf  tht  booh  of  the  Old 
teflament,  l^c.  -  -  J*^- 

P    E    R    I    O    D        11. 
TTie  time  of  Chrift't  humiliation,  IJ7» 

PART        I. 

Of  Chrifl't  becoming  incarnate  to  capacitate  kimfelf  for 

the  pur  chafe  cf  redemption,  -  *3» 

PART        IL 
0/  the  fuuhafe  itfelf,  -  -  ^4? 

Sect.    I. 
What  is  intended  by  ChriftU  purchafng  redemption,  145* 

S  K    C    T.      II. 

Gineral  obfervations  eonctrning  ihfe  things  by  -which  (bit 
p%7chafe  vi&t  madh  "  '^** 


Fii.  CONTENTS. 

Sect.     IIT.  P.gc. 

Th*  ohedt'enes    end  fujfcrjngt  h\)   yvhick  ChriJ}  purch.aftd 

rtdcmption  particularly   cctifijertd,  1^8. 

1  iM  P  R  O  V  F:  M  E  N  T. 

Sect.     L 
Vieprofif  of  unbelief  i  fdf  rtghcoufafft ,  end  careltfi  neglcH 

OJ  Jaivatiott,  '  '  1 6^, 

S    V.    C    T.       H. 

Encouragetfictti   ic  kurd.Kcd  fouli  to  tt  cjr   tt\  Clirif  for 
foivuiion,  .        -  -  170 

P   K   K   i    O    D.       in. 

From  Chrifi't   refsrrc£iijr.  to  the   und   cf  the  -world,  ^71 

I     N     r     R     O     O    U    C     T    I    O    K. 
Gtneral  obfervations   concerning  this  psriodt  111 

PART         I. 

Of  thfs  tk'Kgi  tvhcrfhy  Chriji  -was  put  inii-  cn  irTiViiedtats 

Capacity  jpr    accomj^lf/hmg   the  end}  of  ka  purch^Jt,  iZx 

PART        IL, 
How  Ckriji  cecomplijhed  ihit  fucesfs^ 

S   E    C    T.       I. 

JIqv)  this  fuuifi  It  azeompfijhsd  by  God'j  grasi  hn, 

^  I.  The  ms^nt  rf  thl.  fucgcft  Bpablifhid^ajur  Ckri/t't 
refurrcSl'On. 

%  II     The  fucc^f,    iifelf,  -) 

VlKST,    la  tke/mf/crt/sg  /fate  tf  iht  church  frcm  the      V       150  v^ 

rcfur>i^.on  (f  Clirifi  lo  t hi  fall  of  AntUh/Jfi.  J 

I.  From  Cbrifi's  refurTcStiontH!  iht  dfftru5fion  cf  Jirufahirtt   l()Z 

II.  From  ths  deJi'uSiion  of  ysru/alim  to  the  deftrul^ion  of 

iht  Usathcn  (mpire  in  the  fime  oj  Cou/}.:tiri'ne  ih<  Great,       200 
Infer  £MC£,  I'mth  cf  ChrifHanity  arfi^utd  from  the fucctft 

of  the  gcfpsl  in  both  thtfe  periods,  2c8 

III.  Sucetft  cf  redtmpuon  from  the  time  of  OnfiaHiiHC  the  J 

Great  nil  the  fall  of  Antichriji,  C       2II 

%fi<    Fr«m  Conjianiine  till  the  rife  of  Antichriflt  j 
gi/y,  from  the  rife  of  Ami  thrift  till  the  Reformation,  21$ 

3<i/v    Fi-om  the  Ref,rma'ion  till  ths  prefetit  tims,  7 

t.  Of  ths  RcformAtiou  itfdf,  *  5     ^^^ 


,84 


CONTENTS,  vVti: 

Page. 
Z    Of  thf  rpp'fijion  n'hf'ch  ths  devil  hat  made  to  the  intertfi$ 

of  rcliguH  in  tht  cht^chet    cf  the  Kefcrmation  224 

3  Pf'^hatfucceji  the  g' fpel  hat  lately  had  in  thefs  churchtt,        230 

4  Prcftntftate  of  thiftgt  -with  regard  10  ihefuccejt  of  thtgefptl,  235 

APPLICATION. 

r    frufh  of  ChriflUnhy  argued  from  the  eventi  of  thii  period,   237 

2  The  fpirit  of  true  Chriftians  a  fpirit  cf  fuffeting, 

3  IVhat  reofon  -we  haye  to   expeSf  that  tvtntt  foretold  in 

fcr'pjure     not  yet  fulfilUa,  Jhall  be  accomplijhed, 
^fhly     How  the  fuccefi  of  Ttdemption/hali  be  carried  on  from 
the  prefetit  time  till  Antichrifi  it  fallen. 

Secondly     Succf  of  redemption  thro*  that f pace  wherein' 
thtChriJiian  church  fha II  jet  rhe  mo/i part  enjoy  pro fperity, 

I.  Profperityof  the  churchthro'  the  greater  part  of  thit  period} 

II.  The  great  apo/afy  that  fhall  take  place,   and  the  danger 
thai  Jhall  threaten  the  church  towardt  the  end  of  thit  period,  zOj 

Sect.     II. 

How  the  fuccefi  of  redemption /hall  be  accomplijhed  in  ^lory,  7 
General  remarks  en  thitfuccefs,  5  ^^^ 

The  particular   manner  in  which  thit  fuccefi  is  aecomplijhed,     271 

IMPROVEMENT    OF   THE  WHOLE. 

I.  How  greet   a  wcrk  the  work  of  redemption  it,  283 

II.  God  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  ending 

9f  all  things,  285 

III.  ChrjJ  in   all  things   has  the  pre  eminence,  287 

IV.  The  tonfiflency  order,  and  beauty  of  providence,  288 
V  The  fcripiuret  the  word  of  God,  2S9 
Vf,  The  ntaje^y  and  pr.wer  of  God  in  the  work  of  redemption  291 
VII  The  ghrioas  wifdom  of  God  in  the  work  of  redemproa..  zgz 
Vni    The Ji ability  of  God's  mercy  andfoithfulnefi  tuhii  peiplt,  29L3 

IX.  How  happy  m  fctety  the  church  cf  Ckriji  is,  7 

X.  thi  mifcry  of  thoff  that  Are  not  inter ejied  in  Chrijf,      >     ^"^ 


HISTORY 


Of  tbi  WORK  of 


REDEMPTION 


I   S    A     I     A    H     li.  8, 

Por  i^8  meth  Jhall  :at  them  up  like  a  garment,  and  lit  vtortnjhall 
c^t  them  Ukt  -iv^d  :  bu:  my  rightsoufntpjhall  be  for  ever,  andrng 
jalvation  from  generaticn  to  generation. 

HE  dcfign  of  xhlt  chapter  is  to  comfort  the  church 
under  her  fufferings,  and  the  pcrfeculions  of  her 
enetn  cs ;  and  the  argument  of  confoUtroa  m- 
Mcd  on  i«,th€  comftancy  and  perpetuity  ofGod'i 
mercy  and  faiihfulncfi  towards  her,  which  (hall 
be  manifcfl  in  continuing  to  work  falvatioQ  for 
her,  proteaing  her  againft  all  affauhs  of  her  cnenmiei,  and  car- 
Tying  tier  fafely  though  all  the  changes  of  ibc  world,  and  finally 
crowning  her  with  vi«ftory  and  deliverance. 

In  the  text,  this  happincft  of  the  church  of  God  is  fct  forth  hj 
«jomparing  it  with  the  contrary  fat«  of  her  enemies  that  opprcfi 
her.    And  therein  we  may  obfcrve, 

I.  How  ft'>ort  lived  the  power  anfl  profpcrity  of  the  church'f 
enemies  are  :  The  moth/hall  eat  thtm  up  like  a  garment t  and  tht 
i^srm /hall  eat  them  like  wool  ;  i.  c.  however  great  their  prof- 
P«'»ty  is,  and  however  great  ihcir  prefeni  glory,  ihcy  (hall  by  dc. 
grees  confume  and  vanifh  away  by  a  fecrel  curfe  of  Gad,  till  they 
come  to  noAing  ;  and  all  their  power  and  glory,  and  fo  their  per- 
fccujioQii  Qtcrci!ly  ccafc,  and  they  t>€  fiailly  andiricccvcrably  ru- 
.-        -  "  incd 


A    II  I  S  r  O  R  Y  of  -2 

ired  ;  ss  the  fincft  and  mo/l  glorious  apparel  will  in  time  wear 
away,  and  be  confunocd  bymothi  and  rottcnncfi,  Wc  learn  wbd 
thofe  arc  ihiit  ihsll  thus  confume  away,  by  ibc  foregoing  verfe,viz» 
thofc  that  arc  the  cnemici  of  God'g  people  :  Htarkitt  unto  >»/,  ^t 
that  k/iotv  righteoufneftt  the  people  in  whoje  heart  st  my  lawg 
ftMT  ye  fto}  the  reproach  of  men,  neither  be  ye  afraid  ef  their  rt' 

vilingfi 

2.  The  contrary  happy  lot  and  portion  of  God's  church,  cz- 
preffcd  ia  thefe  wordi,  Aly  riiute9ufnef$  JhalL  hi  for  ever,  and  my 
falvation  froth  generation  to  generation*  Wao  arc  meant  ai  thofc 
that  fbsllhavc  the  benefit  of  ihii,  we  alfo  learn  by  the  preceding 
vcrfe,  v?z.  They  that  know  rightecufneft,  etnd  the  people  in  ivhoft 
hart  is  Go4's  iaw  i  or,  in  one  word,  the  church  of  God,  And 
concerning  thii  bappinefi  of  thtiri  hcic  fpokca  of,  wc  may 
obferve  two  things,  yiz,  i*  Wherein  it  coniifti ;  2.  Iti  coa- 
tinuance. 

( I )  Wfaciein  it  conlini ,  vis.  In  God's  rightccufnefi  and  fal* 
vstion  toward  them.  By  God's  rigbtcoufneft  bttc,  if  tneant  hit 
faitbfulnefs  in  fulfilling  his  covenant  promifei  to  bis  church,  orbit 
faiibfulnefs  towards  bis  church  and  people  in  bcftowing  the  benefits, 
of  the  covenant  of  grace  upon  them  ;  which  benefits  though  they 
are  beftowed  of  free  and  fovereign  grace,  at  hthg  altogether  ua- 
dcferved  ;  yet  as  God  has  been  picafcd,  by  the  proaaifes  of  the  co- 
venant of  grace,  to  bind  himfelf  to  bcftow  them,  fo  they  ate  be- 
flowed  in  the  ex^rciie  of  God's  rightetufnefs  or  juflfiec.  There- 
fore the  apoflls  fays,  Heb.  vi.  10.  God  it  not  unrighteous,  t9 
forget  your  luork  and  labour  of  love.  And  fo,  I.John  i.  9.  Ifvoe 
eonfefs  our  fins,  he  ii  faithful,  and  jujl  to  forgive  US  our  fins,  and 
to  eleanfe  us  from  all  our  unrighteoufnefs*  ^o  the  word  rightaouf- 
neffisvay  often  ufed  in  fcripiure  for  God's  covenant-faith fulnefi; 
fo  it  ii  ufcd  in  Nchcm.  ix.  8,  Thou  haft  performed  lAy  words,  for 
thou  art  righteeat.  So  we  are  often  to  underftand  righteoufneff 
and  covenant- mercy  for  the  fame  thing  ;  as  ?fal.  xxiv.  5.  He 
fhall  receive  the  bhjjing  from  the  Lord,  and  righteottjnefs  from  the 
God  of  his  falvation,  Pfal.  ixxvi.  10  Continue  thy  loving  kind- 
neff  to  them  that  linovj  thee,  and  thy  righteoufne/t  to  the  upright  in 
heart.  And  Pfal.  Ii.  14.  Deliver  me  from  bbod-guiltincfs,  O  God, 
thou  Godcfmyfalvation:andmy  tongue  ffiallfing  aloud  of  thy 
Tighecufnefs,  Dm.  ix.  i6>  O  Lord,  according  to  thy  righteouj- 
neft,Jbefcecb  thee,  let  thine  anger  and  thyfttry  be  turned  away. ..^-^-^ 
And  fo  in  innumerable  other  placet. 

The  other  word  here  ufed  i«  falvation.  Of  ihefe  two,  God's 
'?Ightcoufnefs  and  his  falvation,  the  one  is  the  caufe,  of  which 
ihcolbcr-isthctfFea.     God's  rightcoufa«f»,  or  covcaant-mcrcyp 

il 


t  Cfea  We!k  o!   REOEMPTIONf. 

fa  the  root  of  which  hit  falvation  is  the  faith.  Both  of  them  re- 
late to  the  covenant  o«  grace.  The  one  i«  God"*  covenant- mere/ 
and  faithfulnefi,  the  other  intend*  that  woik  oiGoa  by  which  thii 
covenant  mercy  ii  accompHfted  in  the  fruits  of  it.  For  falvatioa 
ii  the  funo  of  all  thofc  works  of  God  by  which  ths  benefits  that 
ire  by  the  covenant  of  grace  are  procured  and  beftowed. 

(j)  We  may  cbfcrve  iu  continuance,  fignificd  here  by  two  sx- 
prefTions  ;  for  ever,  and  from  generation  to  generaficn  The  latter 
fccmitobc  explanatory  of  the  former.  The  phrafe /^r  ewr,  !8 
vaiiobfly  ufed  in  fcripture.  Some!ime»  hereby  is  meant  as  long 
af  a  man  livei.  So  it  is  faid,  the  fcrvsnt  that  ba»  bis  ear  bored 
through  with  an  awl  to  the  door  of  his  maftcr.ih^U  be  his  for  tver. 
Sotoeiimei  ihcieby  is  meant  during  the  cootiuuance  of  the  Je^viih 
ftate.  So  of  miny  of  the  cercmoaial  and  Levisical  laws  it  is  faid 
that  they  (houJdbc  ftalueaf*?*'  svsr.  Soooeiimei  it  means  as  long 
as  the  world  (h^!l  i^and,  or  So  ths  end  of  the  generstions  of  men. 
So  It  is  fiid,  Ecclcf  i.  4.  '•  One  generation  paiTetb  away  and  a- 
nother  cometh  ;  but  the  carlh  sbUcih  forever,"  Sometimes  there- 
by 13  ift=snt  to  all  eternity.  Sa  it  is  laid,  •'  God  is  blcfied  far 
tver,^*    Rom.  i    25        And  fo  it  i^  faid.  John  vi.  51.  **  Uany 

than  eat  of  (hi«  bread,  he  iha!l  live  for  ever." •Which  of  ihcfe 

fenfes  is  here  lobe  undert^ood,  the  next  words  determine,  v«z.  to 
the  end  of  the  woild,  cr  to  thccnd  of  ihc  generations  of  men.  It 
£«  faJd  in  the  next  words,  "  and  my  falvaiion  from  gsnsraiicn  to 
teneration.*'  Indeed  the  fruits  o)  God'i  falvation  fliail  remain  af- 
ter ihe  end  of  the  world,  as  appears  by  the  Cih  vctfe  :  <»  Lift  up 
ycur  eyes  to  the  heavens,  and  look  upon  the  earlh  beneath  :  for  the 
heavens  fhall  vsni(h  away  like  fmoke,  and  the  earth  fhall  wax  old 
like  a  garmc^  t,and  they  tb<^t  dwell  therein  (h^lldie  in  like  manner* 
tut  my  falvationjhall  be  for  iMer^andmy  righttottfntfijhall  not  be 
abelijlud."  But  tkc  work  of  faWation  itfclf  tovs^ards  the  church 
(ball  continue  to  be  wrought  till  then  :  till  the  end  of  ;hc  world, 
God  will  go  en  to  accomplifh  deliverance  and  falvation  for  the 
church,  from  all  her  enemies  j  for  that  is  what  the  prophet  is  here 
fpcaking  of ;  till  the  end  of  the  world  ;  till  her  enemies  ceafe  to 
be,  as  to  any  power  to  mole^  the  church.  This  crpreflFion,  fratu 
gtHeration  to  generation,  may  dcicrmine  u«  a«  to  the  lime  which 
Gud  continues  to  carry  on  the  work  of  falvslion  for  hia  church, 
both  wiih  refpecl  to  the  beginning  and  end.  It  ta  from  genersiioa 
to  generation,  i,e*  throughout  all  generations;  begincirg  with 
the  gererations  of  men  on  earth,  and  not  ending  till  thcfe  genera- 
tions end,  at  thccn4  of  lilt  world;  ■  fhcrcfore  we  deduce  from 
shcfc  werds  thii 

DOCTRINE: 


9  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  V    of 

DOCTRINE; 
Tlie   work  of  redemption  is  a  work  that  Go»;1   tar. 
ries  on  from   the  fall  cf  man    to  the  end  of  tli^ 
world. 

The  generations  of  manklnci  on  the  farth  did  not  begin  till  after 
ihc  fajl.  The  beginning  of  the  porterity  of  our  firrt  p'-irems  was 
after  the  fall  ;  for  all  ihcir  poftcrity,  by  ordinary  generation,  are 
partakers  of  the  fall,  ?Jnd  of  the  corrupiion  of  nature  (hat  followed 
from  it  ;  and  ihcfc  generations,  by  which  the  human  race  i;  pro- 
pagated, Jhall  continue  to  the  end  of  (he  world  :  fo  thtfe  two  ara 
the  limits  of  the  gencraiions  of  men  on  the  earth  ;  the  fall  of  man, 
the  beginning  ;  and  of  the  end  of  the  world,  or  the  Jay  of  judgc-i 
mcnt,  the  end.  The  fame  arc  the  limits  of  the  work  of  re- 
demption  as  to  thofe  progrc/Tivc  works  of  God,  by.  which  that 
lederapilon  is  brought  about  and  accompliihed,  tho*  not  as  to  tea 
fruits  of  it ;  for  they,  ;js  was  faid  before,  Jhall  bfi  to  all  eternity. 
The  work  of  redemption  and  the  work  of  falvation  are  the  fame 
thing.  What  is  fcmctimes  in  fcripturc  called  God's  faving 
his  people,  is  in  other  places  called  his  redeeming  them.  So 
Chrift  is  called  both  the  Saviour  and  the  Redeemer  of  his  people* 

Before   entering  on  the  propofed  Hiftory  of  the  Work  of 
Redemption,  1  ivouldt 

1.  Explain  the  terms  made  ufc  of  in  the  doftrine,-— nnd, 

2.  Show  what  thofe  things  are  that   arc  defigncd  to  be  accom- 
plished by  this  great  work  of  God: 

Firfi,  I  xjould  (how  in  what  fenfc  the  terms  of  the  dcflrinc  are 

ufcd. /^a.d,  1.  1  would  liiow  how  I  would  be  undcrfiood  whca 

I  ufc  the  word  redemption  i-^and,  z.  how  I  -would  be  unde.f^ood 
when  1  fay,  this  work  is  a  work  of  God  carried  on  from  the  fall 
of  man   to  the  end  of  the  world. 

I.  I  would  fliow  how  1  would  be  underfbDod  when  I  ufc  the  word! 
redemption. Here  ir  may  be  obfcrved,  thst  the  work  of  re- 
demption is  fomctimcs  understood  in  a  mere  limitc  I  fenfc,  for 
the  purchafe  of  falvation  ;  for  fo  the  word  Aridly  flgaific^,  a  pur- 
chafe  of  deliverance  ;  and  if  we  take  the  word  in  this  rif^rii^cd 
fcnfe,  the  work  of  redemption  was  not  fo  long  Jq  doing.  Jiut  it 
was  begun  and^  fiaifu-d  with  GhrilVs  humiiation.  It  was  all 
Wrought  while  Chrifl  was  upon  eaith.  It  was  begun  xvith  Chrift 'a 
incarnation,  ar,d  carried  on  thro'  ChriP's  life,  and  finifbed  with  his 
l!cath,  or  the  time  of  hit  rem  iining  uadar  ihc  power  of  dcaih,which 
<aded  in  hit  rcfurrc(flion  :  and  fo  we  fay,  that  the  day  of  thrift's 
fefitricaioa  is  the  day  when  Chfift  fioiflicd  t!i*  woik  of  redemption, 
A  I,  #, 


ilie  Wojk  of   REDEMPTION.  i« 

/  t.  then  ibc  purchafe  was  finifhed,  and  the  wurk  iifelf,  and  all  thst 
appcrteined  to  it, was  virtually  done  and  fini(hcd,bul  not  aSfually, 

Jtlut  then  fomctimcs  the  work  of  redemption  \%  taken  mor« 
largdy,  including  all  thai  God  works  or  accompllfhci  tending  la 
this  end  ;  not  only  the  pui chafing  the  redemption,  but  aFTo  all 
God's  works  that  were  properly  prcpar^itory  to  the  purchife,  or 
SI  applying  the  purchafe  and  accomplirhing  the  fucccf*  of  it  :  fo 
that  the  vvnolc  difpenfalion,  as  it  includes  the  preparation,  a»d 
the  purchafe,  and  the  application  and  fuccefs  of  Chrifl's  redemp- 
tion, is  here  called  ihc  work  of  rtdcmpticn.  All  that  ChriA  doej 
in  this  great  aff  iir  as  mediator,  in  any  of  his  cffice?,  either  of 
prophet,  pricfi,  or  king  ;  either  when  he  was  in  this  vrarld,  in  hrj 
human  nature,  ca  before  or  fince  ;  and  not  only  what  Chrirt  the 
mediator  hai  done,  but  alfo  what  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghoil, 
have  done,  as  united  or  confederated  in  this  dcfign  of  redeeming 
finful  tnen  ;  of,  in  one  word,  all  that  is  wrought  in  execution  o^ 
the  eternal  covenant  of  redcoDption  ;  this  is  what  I  call  the  work 
of  redemption  in  the  dof^rine  ;  for  it  is  all  but  one  work,  one 
dcfign.  The  various  difpcnfations  or  works  that  belong  to  it,  are 
but  the  fevernl  parts  of  one  fchctne.  It  is  but  one  dtfign  that  is 
formed,  to  which  all  the  offices  of  Chrifl  do  dircdly  tend,  and  in 
which  all  the  p:rfons  of  the  Trinity  do  confplrc.snd  all  the  varioui 
difpenfationa  thit  belong  to  it  arc  united  ;  and  the  feveral  wheeif 
are  one  mschinc,    to  anfvrcr  one  end,   and  produce  one  effect. 

11.  When  1  isLj,  this  work  is  carried  o»  frcm  the  fall  of  man  t« 
the  end  of  the  world  ;  in  order  to  the  full  undcrftanding  cf  my 
meaning  in  it,  I  would  dcfire  two  or  three  thingi  to  he  obfcrvcd. 

I.  That  it  is  not  meant,  that  nothing  was  done  in  order  to  iX 
before  the  fall  of  man.  There  were  many  things  done  in  order 
to  ihil  work  of  rcdeioptlon  before  that.  Some  things  were  done 
before  the  world  was  created,  yea  from  all  eternity.  The  pcrfons 
of  the  Trinity  were  as  it  ^ere  confederated  in  a  defign  and  cove- 
nant of  redemption  ;  in  which'  covenant  the  F-ther  had  appointed 
the  Sjn,  and  the  Son  had  undertaken  the  work  ;  and  all  things  to 
be  accompliHicd  in  the  work  were  fttpulated  aud  agreed.  Bcfidcf 
thefe,  there  were  things  done  at  the  creation  of  the  world,  in  order 
to  that  TTork,  before  man  fell  ;  for  the  world  iifclf  fcems  to  have 
been  created  in  order  to  it.  The  work  of  creation  was  in  order 
to  God's  works  of  providence  :  So  that  if  it  be  enquired,  which 
of  thefe  kinds  of  works  is  the  greatefl,  the  works  of  creation  or 
the  works  of  providence  ?  I  ^nfwer,  the  works  of  providence  ; 
becaufe  God's  works  of  providence  arc  the  end  of  his  works  of 
Crcttionf  as  the  building  an  houft,  or  the  forming  an  engine  cr 
muhtHt,  it  foi  iti  ufc.    But  God'f  maia  work  of  providence 

is 


in  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    6r     ' 

is  this  great  work  of  God  that  ihc  do£lrinc  fpcaks  of,  aiJtiay 
more  fully  appear  hereafter. 

The  creation  of  heaven  was  in  order  to  the  work  of  rcdctnpiion  : 
it  wai  to  be  an  habiiition  for  ihc  redeemed  :  Miith.  xxv.  34, 
"  Then  (ball  the  King  fay  unto  them  on  his  rijjhi  hand.  Come,  yc 
bleflcd  of  my  Father,  inhrrit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  ih* 
foundation  of  the  world."  Even  the  angch  were  creaccd  to  ht 
employed  in  thii  work.  Therefore  the  apofile  calls  them,  **  mi- 
tiijiring  fpiritt,  fcnt  forth  to  miniftcr  for  ihtm  who  /hall  bt 
icirs  of  falration,"  Hcb.  i.  14.  A«  to  thi*  lower  world,  it  wai 
doi  btlefs  acated  to  be  a  Oage  upon  which  thi»  great  and  wonderful 
woik  of  redemption  fliould  belranfafl-ed  :  and  tKcrcfore,  ai  might 
be  (liown,  in  many  rcfpe^s  this  lower  world  ii  wifely  fitted, In  !h« 
formation,  for  fuch  a  ftate  of  man  as  he  is  in  llncc  the  fall,  under 
a  po(I:b'iliiy  of  redemption  ;  fo  thai  when  it  is  faid,  that  the  work 
of  redemption  is  carried  on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  end  of  the 
world,  it  is  not  meaot,  that  all  that  ever  w^s  done  la  order  to 
redemption  ha«  been  done  fince  the  fall.     Nor, 

2.  Is  it  meant  that  liicre  will  be  no  remaining  &uil8  of  thit  work 
after  the  end  of  the  world.  The  grcatefl  fruits  of  «li  will  be  after 
that.  That  glory  and  blciTcdoefs  that  will  be  the  fum  of  all  the 
fruits, will  remain  to  all  the  faints  after  ihat.  That  work  of  rcdctEp- 
tion  is  not  an  eternal  work,  i.  c,  it  is  not  a  work  always  a  doing 
and  never  accompllfhed.  But  th«  fr<iit8  of  this  work  are  eternal 
fruiti.  The  work  hat  an  iffue.  But  in  the  iiTue  the  end  wjll  be 
obtained  ;  which  €nd  will  never  have  an  €nd.  As  thofc  thing« 
that  were  in  order  to  this  workbelorc  thctkginning of  the  world, 
as  God's  elcding  love,  and  the  covenant  of  rrJenrption,  never  had 
9  beginning  ;  fo  the  fruiti  of  this  work,  that  iLail  be  afttr  t'lC  cndi 
«f  the  world,  never  will  have  an  end.     therefore, 

3.  When  it  is  faid  in  the  doftrinc,  tjiat  thj»  is  n.  work  that  God 
h  carrying  on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  11  c  er.d  of  the  world,  wLat 
I  mean  i*,  tha4  thofc  things  thst  belong  to  this  work  ufclf,  and  ar« 
parts  of  this  fchcane,  2r«  all  this  while  accomplifliing.  There  !.re 
things  tiiat  are  in  ord«  to  It  that  are  brforc  the  beginning  of  it, 
and  fruiti  of  it  that  ar«  afcer  it  is  finifhed.  But  the  work  itfelf  h 
fo  long  a  doing,  even  frora  the  fall  of  man  to  the  end  of  the  worH, 
it  is  all  this  while  a  carry  irg  on. .  It  was  b^gun  imcicdlatc^y  upc^a 
the  fall  and  will  coitinue  to  the  ccd  cf  the  world,  and  th<a  will  L>€ 
finifljcd.  The  various  difpcnfations  of  God  that  are  in  this  fp«ce, 
do  belong  to  the  fame  work,  and  tp  fhc  fame  de^gn,  and  have  al2 
os€  iflTue  ;  and  therefore  arc  all  to  be  reckoned  but  ai  fcvcral  paru 
of  one  work,  as  it  were  fcvcral  fuccijITirc  motions  cf  oac  machintt^ 
Id  bring  iibout  i&  the  co^dufiQc  9Zi  g^ir^^  qyczU 

Hcfc 


Ikt  Work  cf  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  0  N.  it 

Here  alfo  we  muft  diAinguifti  between  the  part*  of  redemption 
ftfclf,  and  the  parts  of  the  work  by  which  that  redemption  l* 
wrought  out.  There  is  at  dilTcrcnce  bctw.cn  the  parts  of  the  benefits 
pjocurcd  and  bcftowed,  and  the  parts  of  the  work  of  God  by  ivht'cb 
thofe  benefits  were  procured  and  beAc^cd,  As,  for  exampJe, 
there  is  a  d.ffcjencc  beivrcen  the  parts  of  the  benefit  that  the  chil- 
dren of  Iirael  received,  confifling  in  thcJrrcdesnptionout  of  Egypt, 
and  t'iC  psrts  of  that  work  of  God  by  which  this  was  wrought.  The 
redemption #of  the  children  of  Ifracl  out  of  Egypt,  confidcrcd  ai 
the  bsj-ifit  which  they  enjoyed,  confiPted  of  tw»  parts,  v'z.  their 
cicliverence  frosa  their  former  Egyptian  bondage  and  mifery,  and 
Jheir  being  brought  into  a  raorc  happy  ftate,  as  the  fcrvants  of 
Godf  an'*  heirs  of  C*naan.  But  there  are  many  more  things  which 
are  pans  of  that  work  of  GoJ  which  is  called  his  work  of  redemp- 
tion of  Iffiel  out  of  Egypt.  To  this  bthngt  his  calliag  of  Moles, 
his  fcndiog  him  to  Pharaoh,  and  all  the  figns  and  wonders  he 
wrought  in  Egypt,  and  his  bringing  fach  terrible  judgements  on 
the  Egyptians,  and  many  other  things. 

It  ii  this  work  by  which  God  cffe(^s  redenaption  that  wears 
fpeaking  of,  This  work  is  carried  on  ffom  the  fall  of  man  to 
Iht*   :i.  *  oi  the  woild  ;  and  it  it  fo  in  two  refptds. 

( I )  With  refpeit  to  the  c  fll'd  wrought  on  the  fouls  of  the  redeem* 
«d  ;  wh'ch  is  cctDiTiaa  to  all  ages  from  the  fall  of  msn  to  the  end  of 
the  ^V'>.ld.  This  cficO.  that  I  here  fpeak  of,  is  the  application  -wiik 
refpcif  :o  the  fouls  cf  particular  peifons,  in  convening,  juftifying, 
far.iityiDg,  ^nd  glorifying  them.  By  thcfe  things  the  fouls  of 
pftiiicuU:  pt-rfons-are  adu&Hy  i'edecmcd,  and  do  receive  the  bene- 
fit of  khc  work  of  rcdempiien  in  its  ef!ed  in  their  fums.  And  ia 
tbu  umc  the  wGrif  ol  fsdemption  u  carried  on  in  all  ages  of  the 
•world  J  i:ccDi  the  fail  of  man  to  ihe  end  of  the  world.  The  worl; 
of  God  in  converting  fouls  opening  blind  eyes,  unfiopping  deal 
«ar>,  raifiKg  '"icid  fouls  to  life,  and  refcueing  ihcmifeiable  cspti- 
vated  fcuU  out  of  the^.ands  cf  Sitan,  was  begun  fooa  after  the  fall 
of  uaan,  has  been  carried  on  in  the  world  ever  iincc  to  this  dsy  an4 
will  be  to  the  end  of  the  world.  God  has  always,  ever  fincc  the 
^rft  ticking  of  the  church  of  the  redeemed  after  the  fall,  had  facli  j^ 
a  church  in  the  world-  Though  cftentim$sjihzi  been  reduced  to/"  '^^ 
ft  very  narrovt  compaf»,and  to  low  circumftances  ;  yet  it  hat  nevct 
wholly  fcilcd. 

As  God  caraes  on  the  work  of  conYCrting  the  fouls  of  fallea 
men  through  all  ibefe  ages,  fo  he  goci  on  to  juftify  them,  to  blot 
out  all  their  fias,  and  to  accept  them  as  righteous  ia  his  fight, 
through  the  rJghieoufnefs  of  Chrift,  and  adopt  and  receive  thetJH 
fioai  bsing  the  chiiiica  of  Satao,  to  b?  bJJ  ovra  ehildrca  ;  fo  alff 

^9 


13  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

he  goes  on  to  fan(flify,  or  ro  c^rry  on  the  work  of  hif  grace,  which 
he  has  begun  in  them,  and  to  comfort  thcnn  with  the  confolalious 
of  his  Spirit,  and  to  glorify  them,  to  bcfto.v  upon  ibem,  when 
their  bodies  die,  that  eternal  glory  which  ii  the  fruit  of  the  purch- 
afco/Chrift,  Whit  is  f^id,  Rom.  viii.  30,  **  Whom  he  did 
predeftinstc,  them  he  alfo  called  ;  and  whom  he  called,  them  h« 
alfojuAificd  ;  and  whom  he  juUificd,  ihcm  he  alfo  glorified  ;"  I 
fay  thiv  is  applicable  to  all  ages,  from  the  fall,  to  the  end  of  the 
world. 

The  way  that  the  work  of  redemption,  with  refpea  to  thcf«? 
cfFcc'is  of  it  on  the  fouls  of  the  redeemed,  is  carried  on  from  the 
fall  to  the  end  of  the  world,  is  by  repeating  and  continually  wort- 
itig  the  fame  work  over  sg\ln,  though  in  dificrsni  pcrfons,  Ixom 
age  to  age.        But, 

(?)  The  work  of  redemption  with  refpc(fl  to  the  grand  dcJign 
in  general,  as  it  refpcfts  th.:  univcrfal  fubicd  and  end,  is  carried 
on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  end  of  the  world  in  a  differeni 
manner,  not  merely  by  rcpciUngor  renewing  the  fame  effcd  in 
the  different  f'ibj<:<n;8  of  it,  but  by  many  fuccellive  works  and  dif- 
pcnfationi  of  God,  all  tending  to  on*  great  end  and  effcd,  all 
united  as  the  feveral  parts  of  a  fchcme,  and  all  together  making 
up  one  great  work.  Like  an  houfc  or  temple  that  is  building  5 
fittif  the  workmen  are  fent  forth,  then  the  caitcrisla  arc  gathered, 
then  the  ground  fitted,  then  tfcc  foundation  is  bid,  then  the  fupcr- 
ftru<?lure  is  eretlsd,  one  part  after  another,  till  at  length  the  top- 
fione  is  laid,  and  all  is  firiiftjsd.  Now  the  work  of  redemption  in 
that  Urge  fenfc  that  has  beca  explained,  may  be  compared  to  fuch 
a  buiWing,  that  is  carrying  on  from  the  fall  of  rfian  to  the  end  of 
the  world.  God  went  about  it  i^^fimediatcly  after  the  fall  of  m^n. 
Some  things  were  done  towards  it  immed^iatcly,  as  may  be  fhowa 
hcrtafter  ;  and  foGod  has  proceeded,  as  it  were,  getting  materials 
and  building,  ever  fincc  ;  and  fo  will  proceed  lo  the  end  of  ibe 
world  ;  and  then  the  time  will  come  when  the  top  i^.onc  Ihall  b« 
brought  forth,  and  all  appear  coaiplefc  and  confummatc.  The 
glorious  Aru£^ure  will  then  f^and  fo^th  in  its  proper   perfection. 

This   work  in    the  fornicr  refpe6l   thst  has  been   mentioned,    / 
V'a.  25  to  the  cfFcdl  on   the  fouls  of  particular  pcrfons   that  art  / 
redeemed,    by   iii  being  an  cficifl  that   is  common  to  all  agct.  / 
The  woik  in  this  laYter  rcfpefl,  v'z.   as  it  refpeclj   the  church   of 
God,  and  the  grand  dcllgn  in  general,  is  carried  on,  not  only  by 
that  which  is  com&ion  to  aH  i>gc!,  hut  by  fuccefTive  works  wrought 
In  different  ages,  2II  parts  of  one  whole,  or  one  g.cai  fchemc, 
'thereby  one  work  h  brought  aVout  by  various  i\epi,  one   fl<rp   ia 
CAC  age,  aud  aaoUier  h  a'4o:hi:r.     it  is  Ctils   carryicg  pn  of  th< 


the  Work  of    R  E  r  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  14 

work  of  rcdetrptlon  tbat  I  itall  chiefly  infift  uprn,  though  not  ex- 
cluding the  former  ;  for  o^c  neccfl'a'ilj  fuppofcs  tht  other. 

Having  thys  explained  what  I  m.'.ao  b>  the  terms  of  ihc  do£lrinc  : 
that  you  m^y  ihc  more  clearly  fee  bow  the  great  dcfigr.  and  work 
of  redemption  is  cirrkd  on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  end  of  ihc 
Hcrld  ;  I  fay,  in  order  to  this, 

1  novr  proceed,  in  the  fccond  place,  to  ftow  what  i»  the  defign 
of  this  great  work,  or  what  things  5rc  defined  to  be  done  by  it. 
In  order  lo  fee  how  a  dtUgn  is  carried  on,  wc  mu!\  fir  A  knowr 
what  ihedefign  is.  To  know  bow  a  workman  proceeds,  and  !• 
undcrfiand  the  varices  fttps  be  lakes  id  order  to  accomplifti  a 
piece  of  woik,  wc  need  to  be  informed  wiaat  he  is  about,  or  what 
the  thing  is  thst  he  intends  to  accooipHlh  ;  other  wife  we  may  Aand 
Jdj,  and  fee  him  do  one  thing  after  another,  and  be  qci^e  puzzled 
and  in  the  dark,  feeing  northing  of  his  fcheme,  and  uridcrAanding 
nolhing  pf  what  he  means  by  it.  If  an  architect,  with  a  great 
Rumb^ir  of  hands,  were  a  building  fomc  great  palace,  and  oce  tb^j 
WHS  a  Arangcr  to  TuGh  tilings  fhould  Aand  by,  and  fee  fome  mea 
tligging  in  the  caith,  others  brirging  tlmbcrj,  others  hewing  flones, 
sad  the  like,  he  might  fee  that  there  W2S  ? great  dtal  idonc  ;  but 
if  he  knew  not  the  dcfign,  it  wo  aid  all  appear  to  bltq  coniufion. 
Therefore,  that  the  p;reit  works  and  difpsnfations  ef  God  thzt  bt  • 
Iphg  to  this  great  afi^h  of  redeii^ption  mpy  not  ."ppear  like  con- 
fusion to  you,  I  would  fet  before  you  briefly  the  main  things  dc* 
fj^ncd  to  be  accomplifhcd  in  ihi-:  great  work,  to  accomplifb  which 
G^i  began  to  work  prefently  after  the  fall  of  man,  and  will  con- 
tinue working  to  the  end  of  the  world,  %vben  the  whole  work  will 
appe&F  completely  fin  iihed.  The  main  ihingi  dtiigned  tc  be  done 
hy  it  sre  thefcthat  fellow. 

I.  It  is  to  put  all  God's  enemies  Uuder  hit  ^cet,  and  ihsl  thp 
^oodneff  of  God  r»:ould  finally  appear  triumphing  over  all  tvil, 
Soon  alierthc  woild  v^as  crcaied,  evil  entered  into  the  world  in 
the  fall  of  the  &Lgc!s  and  man.  Prefently  after  God  had  made  ra- 
tional crc&turcis,  iligre  xi\'ra  enemies  vAo  rofc  up  agsinft  him  from 
«mong  them  ;  and  in  ibc  fail  of  man  evil  cnteicd  into  this  lower 
•y-cild,  3nd  God's  enemici  rofe  up  againft  him  here.  Satan  rofc 
wp  againf:  God,  endeavouring  to  fruftratchis  defign  in  the  creati- 
on of  this  lower  world;  and  10  deuroy  his  workmanfhip  here,  anj 
to  wre«l  the  government  of  ihii  low  er  world  out  of  bis  hands,  and 
tifurp  the  throne  himfclf,  and  fet  up  hiaxfelf  a^  god  of  this  world 
in/lead  cf  the  God  th»t  m^de  it.  To  tbefe  ends  he  introduced  fitt 
into  the  world  ;  and  having  rxiade  o^sr  God's  enemy,  he  brought 
fjuilt  on  man,  sni  brought  dca^h  aad  ths  tnoft  ciucme  and  dread- 
fd  aiifcry  into  Vac  world, 

Ho  IP 


15  A    H  I  S  T  C  R  Y    of 

Njw  one  great  dsiign  of  God  in  ih^  tffi«r  of  rcdimptioa  ^at, 
tprrduce  and  fubd'.ie  tbofc  encnii^s  of  G.  '^,  till  i^ey  iLoulJ  ail  b« 
put  under  G.:C*s  feet  :  I  Cor.  xv.  2$.  '*  He  mu^l  Je?ga  lill  he 
hath  put  all  enemies  under  his  fcef.  '  Things  \ic:<2  origiailiy  fo 
planned  and  dcfigncd,  that  hccji^hi  difappoiat  and  cocfcMnd,  ana 
iriurrph  over  §atan,  and  that  he  might  be  bruifed  under  ChriA't 
feet,  Gen  iii.  15.  The  prcmif^i  was  given,  that  ihs  feed  of  the 
Woman  Qiould  bruifc  ihc  iVrpeni'i  head.  It  was  a  part  of  Goi't 
original  defign  in  i^iis  work,  10  dcAroy  the  wo^ks  of  the  devil,  and 
conftund  him  in  all  his  pujpofcs  :  i  John  iii  3.  *'  For  this  pur- 
pcfc  was  the  Son  of  God  manifeftcd,  that  he  might  dertroy  the 
works  of  the  devil."  It  naj  a  part  of  his  dcfsgn,  to  triumph  over 
fin,  and  over  ths  corrupiions  of  mzr,  and  to  ropt  them  out  of  the 
bcarti  ©f  his  people,  by  conforming  them  to  hiinfelf.  He  dcfigncd 
iHo,  that  his  grace  i^c\*\d  triumph  over  man's  guilt,  and  that  in* 
finite  demerit  that  there  is  i.i  fin.  Again,  it  was  a  part  of  his  defign, 
to  triumph  over  death  ;  and  however  this  is  the  laft  enemy  ihat  Ihall 
fee  deAroycd,  yet  that  fbill  finally  be  vsnquifhed  and  deftroycd. 

God  thus  appears  glorioufly  above  all  evil ;  and  triumphing  over 
all  his  enemies,  was  one  great  thing  that  God  intended  by  the  work 
of  redemption  ;  and  the  work  by  which  this  was  to  be  done,  Goi 
immediately  went  about  as  foon  as  ecan  fell  ;  acd  fo  goes  on  till 
he  fully  accompiifties  it  in  the  end  of  the  world. 

11.  In  doing  this,  God's  defign  was  perfcdly  to  rcf^.orc  all  cb« 
ruins  of  the  fall,  fo  far  as  concerns  the  eleft  pnrt  of  the  work',  by 
his  Son  ;  and  therefore  wc  read  of  the  refiittiticn  of  all  tkingt, 
AO.s  iii.  21.  "  Whom  the  heaven  muf^  receive,  untiil  the  tinica 
of  the  nftitution  of  all  ihingt  ;**  and  of  the  times  of  rcfrcfilng 
from  the  ptcfence  of  the  Lord  Jif^a,  AiTts  iii.  19.  *'  Kepent  ye 
therefore  and  he  converted,  that  your  fins  may  be  bloited  out,  when 
the  timit  of  refrrfnin^  flball  con?.c  from  the  prcfcncc  of  the  Lord." 

Man's  foul  was  ruined  by  the  fall  ;  the  image  of  God  was  ruin- 
ed ;  man's  nature  was  corrupted  and  def^ioycd,  and  man  becsmt 
dead  \n  fin.  The  dcngn  of  God  .ifa<»x  to  reftcrc  ihc  foul  of  man  ; 
to  rcf^ore  llf;  to  \i,  and  .he  itrjagc  of  Gjd,  iu  conveifion,  sfad  to 
carry  on  the  rsftoration  in  faR<'."lif!ca»iou,  andtoperfc<^t  it  in  g'ory. 
Man's  wcdy  was  ruined  ;  by  the  f.^ll  it  became  fubjc^fl  to  deatia. 
The  d;fign  of  God  was,  to  rcflcre  it  from  this  ruin,  acd  cot  only 
10  deliver  it  from  death  in  the  refurrcf'^icn,  but  to  deliver  it  from 
monallty  iifclf,  in  making  h  like  unto  Chi  .'ii'.^  glorious  body; 
The  world  was  lu'ned,  as  to  m?in,  as  cfFc^^uall)'  5S  if  it  had  bica 
reduced  to  chaa  sgain  ;  all  heaven  and  earth  >Tere  ov«/Jhrown« 
But  the  defign  of  God  was,  to  rcPxcre  all,  and  s<  it  were  to  create 
laewhcaTea  and  a  acw  earth  :  If.  Ixv.  17.   **  Behold,  I  creat 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  ?  T  I  O  M.  l^ 

new  heavens,  and  a  new  earth  ;  and  the  former  (hall  not  be  re- 
membered, nor  come  into  mind."  2  Vet.  iii,  13.  "  Nevcrihclcri 
we,  according  to  his  promife,  look  for  new  heavens,  a  ncvr 
earth,  wherein  dwcllcth  righteoufncfs." 

The  work  by  which  this  was  to  be  done,  was  begun  immediately 
after  the  fall,  and  fo  is  cirricd  on  till  all  ii  finifhcd  at  the  end, 
when  the  whole  vYorld,  heaven  and  earth,  (hall  be  reftorcd  ;  and 
there  (hall  be,  ss  it  were,  new  heavens,  and  a  new  earth,  in  a 
fpiritu;il  fcnie,  at  the  end  of  the  world.  Thus  it  is  reprcfented. 
Rev.  xxi.  I.  •*  And  I  faw  a  new  heaven,  and  a  new  earth  ;  for 
the  firfi  heaven  and  the  fir  ft  earth  were  paffcd  away." 

111.  Another  great  dc(ign  of  God  in  the  work  of  redemption, 
was  to  gather  togbthcr  in  one  all  things  in  Cbrift,  in  hcavco  and 
In  earth,//,  r.  all  cl6(fl  creatures  ;  to  bring  all  cled  creatures,  in 
heaven  and  in  earth,  to  an  union  one  to  another  in  one  body,  under 
one  head,  and  to  unite  all  together  in  one  body  to  God  the  Faihcr. 
This  was  begun  foon  after  the  fall,  and  is  carried  on  through  all 
8ge3  of  ths   i^orld,  and  finilbed  at  the  end  of  the  world. 

iV.  God  deiigned  by  this  work  to  perfcd  and  complete  the 
glory  of  all  the  cled  by  Chrirt.  It  waj  a  dcfjgn  of  God  to  advance 
the  elc£l  to  an  exceeding  pitch  of  glory,  *•  fucb  ss  the  eye  bath 
not  fccn,nor  ear  beard,  nor  has  sver  entered  into  the  heart  of  man.'' 
He  intended  to  bring  them  to  perfccl  excellency  and  beauty  in  hit 
image,  and  in  hoUnefs,  whi\:h  is  the  proper  beauty  of  fpititual 
beings  ;  and  to  advance  them  to  a  glorious  degree  of  honor,  and 
alfo  to  an  ineftabls  pitch  of  pleafure  and  joy  ;  and  thus  to  glori- 
fy the  whole  church  of  eledlt  men  in  foul  and  body,  and  with 
them  to  bring  the  glory  of  the  cleft  angcli  to  its  highcfl  pitch 
under  on^  head.  The  work  which  tend:  to  this,  God  began 
immedia'eiy  after  the  fall,  and  carries  oa  through  all  ages,  and 
will  have  psrfeffled  at  the  end  of  the  world. 

V.  In  ail  this  God  defignci  to  accomplifn  the  glory  of  the  blefied 
Trinity  ia  an  exceeding  degree.  God  had  a  dcfign  of  glorifying 
bimfelf  from  cierniiy  ;  to  glorify  each  perfcn  in  the  Godhead. 
The  end  mnil  be  cyinfidered  as  firft  in  order  of  cature,  and  then  the 
cneans  ;  and  therefore  we  mufl  conceive,  that  God  having  pro* 
fcfled  this  end,  had  then  as  it  were  cbc  means  to  chufc  ;  and  the 
principal  rnean  that  he  pitched  upon  was  this  great  work  of  re- 
demption that  we  are  fpeaking  of.  It  was  h's  dengn  in  this  work 
to  gforify  his  only  begotten  Son,  Jefas  Chrtft  ;  and  it  was  hit 
dcfign,  by  the  Son  to  gUrify  the  Father  :  John  xiii.  31.  jl.  "Norr 
[s  the  Son  of  man  glorified,  and  GoX  is  glorifiwd  in  him.  H  God 
be  glorified  in  him,  Gjd  al.^o  fball  glorify  him  in  himfelf,  and 
i\iifi  ftraigbtway  glorify  him."  It  was  his  detlgo  that  the  Son  (bouli 

thtw 


n 


A    HISTORY    of 


be  glorified,  and  iliould  glorify  the  Father  by  what  (hould  be  ac- 
complifl^ed  by  ihc  Spirii  to  the  glory  of  the  Spirit,  that  the  whole 
Trinity,  conjundly,  and  each  pcrfon  fmgly,  might  be  cxcccdirgly 
glorified.  The  work  that  was  the  appointed  means  of  this,  wat 
begun  immediately  after  the  fall,  and  is  carried  on  t!ll,and  finilhei 
al,  the  end  of  the  world,  when  all  this  intended  glory  Ihall  be 
fully  accoiuplifhed  in  all  things. 

Having  thus  explained  the  ternw  made  ufe  of  in  the  dcS.T\ne, 
and  Ihovtn  what  the  things  are  which  are  to  be  accocnpliftied  by  thii 
great  work  of  God,  I  proceed  now  to  the  propofed  Hiftory  ;  that 
is,  to  (bow,  how  what  was  dcfigned'by  the  woik  of  redemption  has 
been  accomplilhed,  in  the  various  Aeps  of  this  work,  from  the  fall 
of  man  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

In  order  to  this,  I  would  divide  this  whole  fpace  of  lime  into 
three  periods : the 

if>,  reaching  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  incarnation  of  Chrifl ; 
the 

2d,  from  Chrift*8  incarnation  till  his  rcfurre£lion  ;  or  the  whote 
lime  of  Chrift's  humiliation  ;  — the 

3d,  from  thence  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
It  may  be  feme  may  be  ready  to  think  this  a  very  unequal  diviilon  r 
and  it  is  fo  indeed  in  fomc  refpcds.  It  is  fo,  becaufc  the  fecond 
period  is  fo  much  the  greateft  :  for  although  it  be  fo  much  fhoriet. 
Ihan  cither  of  the  other,  being  but  between  thiity  and  forty  years, 
whereas  both  the  other  contain  thoufands  ;  yet  in  this  aflfair  that 
we  are  now  upon,  it  is  more  than  both  the  othcri. — I  wouki 
therefore  proceed  to  (how  diftindly  how  the  work  of  redemption 
is  carried  on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  end  of  the  world, 
through  each  of  ihefc  periods  in  their  order  ;  which  I  would  do 
under  three  propofitions  ;  ore  concerning  each  period. 

I.  That  from  the  fall  of  man  till  the  incarnation  of  Chrift,  GoJ 
was  doing  thofe  things  that  were  preparatory  to  Chrift's  coming, 
and  working  out  redemption,  &  were  forerunners  andearneHs  of  it» 

II.  That  the  time  from  Chrift's  incarnation,  till  hia  refurre£lIonj 
was  fpent   in  procuring  and  purchafing  redemption. 

III.  That  the  fpice  of  time  from  the  refurrc^ion  of  Chrifi  to 
the  end  of  the  world,  is  all  taken  up  in  bringing  about  or  accoxn- 
^lilhing  the  great  effed  or  fuccefs  of  that  pur  chafe. 

In  a  particular  confideration  of  thefc  three  propofitioni,  tht 
^rcat  truth  taught  in  the  doftrine  may  pcih?»ps  appcsr  in  ■  dear 
light,  and  we  may  fee  how  the  work  of  redctnptign  is  carried  oa 
ffoin  the  fall  of  maa  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

B  "  f ro(p 


M 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  it 

PERIOD         I. 

From  the  Fall   to    the   Incarnation. 

Y  firit  talk  is,  to  (how  how  the  work  of  rtdemption  it 
_  _  carried  on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  tHcarnation  of  Chrrfi, 
und<:Tthr.firJfprcpcfition,vh. 

Thai  the  fpace  of  time  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  incarnation 
of  ChriA,  wa$  taken  up  in  doing  thofe  things  that  were  forcrunncti 
and  cirncfts  of  Chrift's  coming,  and  working  out  redemption* 
«nd  were  preparatory  to  it. 

The  great  works  of  God  in  the  world  during  th?s  whole  fpace  of 

time,  were  sll  preparatory  to  this.     There  were  many  great  changei 

and  revolutions  in  the  world,  and  they  were  all  only  the  turning  of 

of  the  wheels  of  provideocc  in  order  to  this,  to  mak^  way  for  the 

coming^f  Chrift,  and  what  he  was  to  do  in  the  world.     They  sU 

fiointei  hither,  and  all  ilTucd  here.     Hither  tended   cfpcci^ly   all 

God'*  great  works  towards  his  church.    The  church  wa»  under  va- 

ricus  difpcnfations  of  prcvidcn/;e,  and  in  very  various  circumltan- 

cc3   before  Chrift  came.     Bu^  all  thefe  difpenfations  were  ko^rc, 

pare  the  ^'ay  for  his  coming,     God  wrought  fc^Ivaticn  for  the  foult 

of  men  through  all  ihst  fpace  of  time,  though  the  number  was  very 

fmdl  to  what  it  was  afterwards  ;  and  all  ihh  falvation  was,   .s   it 

Wdrc.  by  way  of  anticipatioft.     All  the  fculs  that  were  f aved  before 

Chrift  c'me.  were  only  a,  it  were  the  earneft.of  the  future  barvefl. 

Gri  wrought  many  leiTcr  falvations  and  deliverances  for  hl| 

church  and  people  before  Chrift  came.    Thcfe  falv.tions  were   all 

but  fo  many  images  and  forerunners   of  the  great  falvation   Chrift 

was  to  work  out  when  he  ftiould  come*    God  revealed   himfclf  of 

old  from  time  to  time,  from  the  fall  of  man  to  iLc  coming  ofChrift* 

The  cHirch  during  that  fpace  of  time  enjoyed  the  light  of  divmc 

teveUuon,  or  Ggq  sword.     They  b.d  in  *  degree  the  light  of  tnc 

cofp-^l      But  all  thefc  revelation*  were  only  to   many  forerunner! 

and  cainefts  of  the  great  light  tha  he  ihould  bring  who  came  lo  be 

the  light  of  the  woild      Th:it  whole  iyzc:  of  time  was   as  it  were 

the  time  of  nifht,'wherein  the  church  of  God  was  not  indeed  whoL 

ly  without  light  :  but  it  waslike  the  light  of  the  nioon  and  f^ar. 

tLt  Wc  have  in  the  night  ;  a  dim  lif ht  m  cotr.panfon  of  the  light 

of  the  fun.  and  mixed  with  a  great  de.    of  darkm-fs.  Jt   had  r.o 

glory,  by  reafon  of  tke  glory  that  e'^cdlcth    t  Cor.  in.  lo.    The 

church  had  indeed  the  light  of  the  fun,  but  it  was  only  a«  rcflcaed 

froo,  the  moon  and  ftars.     The  church  all  that  whde  ^^^J  ^'^o'' 

This  the  3i>oaie  evidently  teaches  in  Gal.  iv.  l.  2.  3.^     Wow  i 

f .y,  that  the  heir  as  long  as  he  is  a  child,  diflPercth  ncliung  from  » 

f.Jvant,  thoughhebelotdofalljbutis  under  tutors  «nd  g^T"^- 

i«)«,u^ul  the  lim.  .?po*mt€d  of  th.  f*th«,    Ev^n  fo  wa,wh«^  wi 


19  AHISTORTof 

* 
were  children,  were  in  bondage  under  ihc  elements  oftfee  wotld.*' 

But  here,  for  ihc  greater clcaruefs  and  diftin<5\ncfs,Iwould  fubdl- 
vide  this  period  from  the  fall  of  man  to  ihe  coming  of  Chrift  into 
fix  Idler  ptriodi,  or  pa-ri  : The 

l{\,  extending  from  the  fall  to  ihc  flood  ; — the 

2  i,  frooi  thence  to  the  calling  of  Abraham  ; — ihc 

3d,  from  thence  to  Mofcs  ; — the 

4th,  frobti  thence  to  David  ; — ihe 

§\h,  from  David  to  the  c'piiviiy  into  Bsbylon  ;— and  the 

6th«  from  thence  to  the  incarnation  oi  Chrilt, 

PART        I. 
From  the  fall  to   the   flood. 

THIS  wai  a  period  faribeft  of  all  diftant  from  Chrift's  incar- 
nation ;  yet  then  this  gre^t  work  was  begun  to  be  carried 
on  ;  then  was  this  glorious  building  begun,  that  will  not  be  finifhcd 
till  the  end  of  the  world,  as  1  would  now  ftiow  you  how.  To  this 
purpofe  I  would  obferve, 

I,  As  foon  as  ever  man  fell,  Chrift  entered  on  his  mediatorial 
work.  Then  it  was  that  Chrift  firft  took  on  him  the  work  and 
cfiice  of  a  mediator.  He  had  undertaken  it  before  the  wor!d  was 
made.  He  ftood  engaged  with  the  Father  to  .';pp;ar  as  mm's  me- 
diator, and  to  lake  on  that  oflfics  when  there  (Viould  be  cccafion, 
from  all  eternity.  But  now  the  time  was  come.  When  man  fdl, 
then  the  occafion  came ;  and  then  Chrift  immediately,  without  far- 
ther delay,  entered  on  his  work,  and  took  on  him  that  oiTfice  that 
he  had  ilood  engaged  to  take  on  him  from  eternity.  As  foon  at 
ever  maa  fell,  Chrifl  the  eternal  Son  of  God  ciotfacd  hiiafelf  with 
the  mediatorial  charatler,  and  therein  preftnted  himfcif  before 
Ihe  Father.  He  immediately  ftcpped  in  between  an  holy,  infinite, 
offended  Majcfty,  and  cfferding  mankind ;  and  was  accepted  in 
his  interpofition  ;  and  fo  wrath  was  prevented  from  gcing  forth  i.i 
the  fu'l  execution  of  that  aaazing  curfc  that  man  had  brought  oa 
himfcif. 

It  is  manifcft  that  Chrift  began  to  crcrclfe  the  office  of  medir^tcr 
between  God  and  man  as  foon  as  ever  man  fell,  bccaufe  m^rcy  be- 
gan to  beexcfcifcd  towards  mm  ijijmcdiately.  There  was  mercy 
in  the  forbearance  of  G  )d,  ihst  he  did  not  deftroy  him,  2s  he  dij 
the  angels  when  they  fell.  F.jt  there  is  no  mecy  excrcifed  to- 
ward fallen  man  but  through  a  mediator,  if  God  had  not  in  mcr- 
•  cy  retrained  Satan,  he  would  immediately  have  fc'zed  on  hij  i>^cy,  ■ 
Chria  began  to  do  the  part  cf  an  intsrcfror  for  man  as  foon  as  hs 
f  .11.  There  is  no  mercy  rxcrcifed  towards  min  but  wh'^l  i«  ob- 
tained through  Chrifi's  interccflTion  :  fo  that  now  Chri/l  wos  cn- 
IftfLii  oa  bis  woikthat  he  was  to  contiuf.j  ia  thMy^^huu;  sll  a^ci 

cf 


Ihe  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  ION,  2« 

of  the  world.     From  that  day  forward  Chrift  took  on  him  the  art 
of  the  chu'ch  of  the  cletft  :  he  took  on  him  the  care  of  fallen  nnan 
in  the  cxcrcife  of  all  h:«   offices;  heundcjtook   thenceforward 
to    teach   mankind  in    the  czcrcife  of  his  prophcticil  ofRce   ; 
and  alfo  to  intercede  for  fallen  man  in  hi*  pricftly  ofPice  ;  and  he 
took  on  him,  as  it  vrere,  the  care  and  burden   of  the   government 
of  the  church, and  of  the  vyorld  of  mankind,  from  this  day  forward. 
He  from  that  time  took  upon  him  the  care  of  the  defence  of  his 
elc6l  church  from  all  their  enemiei.     When  Satan,  the  grand  tnt' 
my,  had  conquered  and  overthrown  nan,  the  bofmcfs   of  refilling 
and  conquering  him  was  coramiited   to  Chrifl.     He   thencefor- 
ward undertook  to  manage  that  fubt'c  powerful  advcrfary.     He 
vras  then  appointed  the  Csptain  of  the  Lord's  hoAc,  and  the  Cap- 
tain of  their  falvation,  and  always  a^led  as  fuch   thenceforward  : 
and  fo  he  appeared  from  time  to  lime,  and  he  will  continue  to 
ad  as  fuch  to  the  end  of  the  world.     Henceforward  this  lower 
world,  with  all  its  concerns,  was,   as  it  were,  devolved  upon  the 
Son  of  God  }  for   when  caan  had  finned,  God  the  Father  would 
have  no  more  to  do  with  man   immediately  ;  he  would  no  more 
have  any  immediate  concern  with  this   world  of  mankind,  that 
had  apoftalizsd  from  and  rebelisd  againAhim.     He  would  hence- 
forward have  no  concern  with  man,,  but  only  through  ;i  mediaiOT, 
eiiher  in  teaching  men,  or  in  governing  oj  U^owing  any  bccc- 
His  on  thcoo. 

Therefore,  when  we  read  in  facred  hiftory  what  God  did  from 
time  to  time  towards  his  church  and  people,  and  what  ht  hid  to 
them,  and  how  he  revealed  himfclf  to  ihe«i,  we  are  to  underi^acd 
it  especially  of  the  fccond  psrfon  of  the  Trinity.  When  we  read 
of  God's  appearirg  after  the  fall,  from  time  to  time,  in  fomc  vlfi- 
hie  form  or  outward  fymbol  of  his  prefcnce,  wc  arc  ordinarily,  if 
»ot  univerfally,  to  undsriland  it  cfpccislly  of  the  fccond  perfon  of 
the  Trinity  ;  which  may  be  argued  from  John  i.  18.  *'  No  man 
hath  feen  God  at  any  time  ;  the  only  bcgo-ten  Son,  v;hi<ph  is  in  the 
bofom  of  the  Father,  he  haih  declaicd  him."  He  is  therefore  call- 
ed "  the  image  of  the  invifiblc  Goi,"  Col.  i.  15.  ;  intimating, 
that  though  Goi  the  Father  be  invifible,  yet  Chrifl  is  his  imJgc  or 
repfsftncation,  by  which  he  is  feen,  or  by  which  the  church  of  God 
hath  often  had  a  repr.-fcniation  of  him,  that  is  not  invifible,  and  ia 
pirt'cular  that  Oirift  has  after  appeared  in  an  human  form. 

Yea  not  o)ily  wis  this  lower  world  devolved  on  Chrift,  that  he 
mig:  th^vc  the  care  and  government  of  ii,  and  ord^r  it  agreeably 
to  his  defign  of  redemption,  but  alfo  in  lomv:  refpcft  the  whole  u- 
niverfc.  The  angtls  frcm  that  time  were  committed  to  him,  to 
be  fubjert  to  him  in  his  mediatorial  office,  to  be  minifiring  fpi- 
riis  to  him  in  this  afTair  ;  and  accordingly  were  fo  from  this  time 
lot  ward,  as  ii  snacifeftby  the  faipturc-hiftpry,  wherein  we  have 

accounts 


21  AHISTORYol 

accounti  from  time  to  time  of  thefr  ailing  as  mtniftring  fpiritt  in 
the  ai)\irs  of  the  church  of  Chrift. 

Therefore  wc  may  fuppofc,  that  immediately  on  the  fall  of  man, 
it  was  made  known  in  heaven  among  the  angels,  that  God  had  a 
dcfign  of  redemption  with  refped  to  fallen  man,  and  that  Cbrift 
bad  now  taken  upon  him  the  office  and  work  of  a  mediator  be- 
tween God  and  man,  that  they  might  know  their  bufincfi  hencefor- 
ward, which  was  to  be  fubfeivlent  to  Chrift  in  this  office .  As 
Chrift,  in  this  office,  hai  fmce  that,  as  God -man.  Mediator, 
been  folemnly  exalted  and  enftalled  the  King  of  heaven,  and 
is  thenceforward  as  God-ilnan,  Mediator,  the  Light,  and  as 
it  were,  the  Sun  of  heaven,  agreeable  to  Rev.  ixi.  25.  **  And 
the  chy  had  no  need  of  the  fun,  neither  of  the  moon,  to  Ihine 
in  it ;  for  the  glory  of  God  did  lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the 
light  thereof  ;*'fo  this  revelation  that  was  made  in  heaven  a- 
iBong  the  angels,  of  Chriil's  now  having  taken  on  him  the  office 
of  a  mediator  between  God  and  man,  was  as  it  were  the  firft  dawn- 
ing of  this  light  in  heaven.  When  Chrift  afcended  into  heaven 
after  hit  paflion,  and  wss  folemnly  infcallcd  in  the  throne  as  King 
pf  heaven,  then  this  fun  rofe  in  heaven,  even  the  Lamb  that  is  the 
light  of  the  ncwjerufalcm.  Bat  the  light  began  to  dawra  immedi- 
ately after  the  fall. 

II,  Prefently  upon  this  the  gofpcl  was  firft  revealed  on  the  earth, 
inthcfe  words,  Gen.  iii.  15.  "  And  I  will  put  enmity  between 
thee  and  the  woman,  and  between  thy  feed  and  her  feed  :  it  (hall 
bruife  thy  head,  and  thou  fbalt  bruife  his  heel."  We  muft  fup- 
pofc, that  God's  intention  of  redeeming  fallen  man  was  fir/l  fig- 
pified  in  heaven,  before  it  was  figniticd  on  earth,  bccaufc  the  bufi- 
cefs  of  the  angels  as  miniftring  fpirits  of  the  Mediator  required  it  ; 
for  £J  foon  as  ever  Chrift  had  taken  on  him  the  work  of  a  media- 
tor, it  was  requifitc  that  the  angels  ftiould  be  ready  immediately 
to  be  fubfervient  to  him  in  that  office  ;  fo  that  the  light  firft  dawn- 
ed in  heaven  ;  but  very  foon  after  the  fame  was  'fignified  on  earth. 
In  ihofc  words  of  God  there  was  an  intimation  of  another  furety  to 
be  appointed  for  uim,  after  th^  firft  furety  had  failed.  This  was 
the  firft  revelation  cf  the  covenant  of  grace  ;  this  was  the  firfi  dawn- 
ing of  the  light  of  the  gofpel  on  earth. 

This  lower  world  before  the  fall  enjoyed  noon -day  light;  the 
light  of  the  knowledge  of  God,  the  light  of  his  glory,  and  the  light 
of  his  favour.  But  when  man  tell,  all  this  light  was  at  once  cx- 
tinguilhed,  and  the  world  reduced  back  -gain  to  total  darknefs  ; 
a  worfc  darknefs  thaa  that  which  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  world 
that  wc  read  of  Gen.  i.  2.  •*  And  the  earth  wa?  without  form,  and 
void,  and  datkneft  was  upon  the  face  of  the  deep."  This  wai 
a  darknefs  a  thoufand  times  more  remcdilcfi  than  that*    Neither 

maa 


abc  Work  of  R  E  1)  E  M  P  T  I O  N.  th 

Win  nor  angels  could  find  out  any  way  whereby  this  darkneft  might 
fcf  'V.itle'cd.  This  darkncfs  appesrcd  in  i»  blacknefs  then,  when 
JUam  snd  bis  wife  faw  that  thty  were  naked, and  icwcd  fig  leaves, 
and  when  they  heard  the  voice  of  tbc  Lord  God  walking  in  th« 
garden,  and  hid  thcmfclvei  among  the  trees  of  the  garden  ;  and 
when  God  firft  called  them  to  an  account,  and  f;^id  to  Adam^ 
What  h  this  that  l^ou  haft  done  ?  *'  Haft  thou  caicn  of  the  lrce» 
^rhcrtof  I  commanded  thee,  that  thou  fhouldft  not  eat  V  Then 
wc  may  fupprfe  that  their  hearts  were  filled  with  Ihame  and  terror. 
Bui  thefc  words  of  God,  Gen.  in.  15.  were  the  firti  dawning  of  the 
lightofihegofpel  after  this  darkncff.  Now  firft  appeared  fome 
glimmering  oflightafrer  this  difmal  darknefs,  which  Moic  this 
was  without  one  glimpfc  of  light,  any  beam  of  comfort,  or  any 
the  Icaft  hope.  It  was  an  obfcure  revelation  of  the  gofpcl  ;  and 
was  not  mwde  to  Adam  or  Eve  dirc^ly,  but  it  was  in  what  God 
laid  to  the  fcrpent.  But  yet  it  was  very  coroprehenrivc,  as  might 
be  eafily  fljown,  »rould  it  not  take  up  too  much  time. 

Here  was  a  certain  intimation  of  a  merciful  defign  by  "  the  feci 
©f  the  woman,"  which  waslikc  the  firn  glimmeringf  of  the  light  of 
the  fun  in  ihceaft  when  the  day  firft  dawns.  This  intimation  of 
mercy  was  given  them  even  bef  >r€  fentence  was  pronounced  on  ei- 
ther Adam  or  Eve,  from  tenderncfs  to  them,  to  whom  God  defigncd 
mercy,  left  ihey  ihouldbe  overborn  with  a  fentence  of  condemna- 
tion, without  having  any  thing  held  forth  whence  ibey  could  ga- 
ther any  hope. 

One  of  thofe  great  thingf  that  were  intended  to  be  done  by  the 
fyork  of  redemption,  is  more  plainly  ir.rlmated  here  than  the  reft, 
viz.  God's  fubduing  his  enemies  under  the  feet  of  bis  Son*  Thif 
was  threatened  novy,andGod*fidefign  of  this  was  now  firft  declared, 
whicn  was  the  work  Qhii{\  U^d  now  undertaken,  and  which  he  foon 
began,  ?.nd  carried  on  henceforward,  and  will  perfeftly  accomplifli 
at  the  end  of  the  v/orld.  S^-tin  probably  had  triumphed  greatly  ia 
the  fall  of  man,  as  though  he  had  defeated  the  defign  of  God  in  the 
creation  of  man  and  the  world  in  general.  But  in  thefe  words 
God  gives  him  a  plaJa  intimation,  that  he  fiiould  not  finally  tri- 
uttiph,  but  that  a  complete  vidory  and  triumph  Ihould  be  obtained 
ovef  him  by  the  feed  of  the  woman. 

This  revtJaiion  of  the  go«pe!  in  this  vcrfe  was  the  firft  thing 
that  Chrift  did  in  his  piophetical  ofificc.  You  may  remember  thut 
ilwss  f  id  in  the  firil  fit  ihofe  three  propofitions  that  have  been 
inentiorii,d,  that  Ircm  the  fall  of  m?n  to  the  incarnation  of  Chrift, 
God  was  ^oing  ihofc  things  that  wc^e  preparatory  to  Chriii's  com- 
ing and  working  out  redemption,  'ad  were  foreruunciS  snd  car- 
ncf^ii  of  it.  And  one  of  ihofc  thing*  which  God  did  in  this  time 
to  f  reparc  ths  way  for  Chuffs  coming  into  the  world,  was  to 

ioutfll 


53  A    HISTORY    o! 

forctcl  and  prosiife  it,  si  he  did  from  time  to  time,  from  age  to 
age,  till  Chrii^  came.  Thii  was  the  hrft  promifc  thatCTcr  was  gU 
ven  of  it,  the  tit  A  prcdidicn  that  ever  wai  made  of  it  on  canb, 

III.  Soaft  after  ibis,  thccm\omof  facrihcing  was  appointed, 
lobe  <»  <lcady  type  ofthe  iacrificc  ofChrift  till  be  ftiould  cooic. 
and  olTerup  bimftif  a  facriticc  loGod.  Sacrificifjg  wns  not  acujlom 
£:ft  crtabliilicd  by  the  Ltvitical  law  of  Mofcs  ;  for  it  had  been  a 
jiart  of  God's  inftitutcd  worfliip  long  before,  even  ftom  the  be* 
ginning  oi  God's  vifible  church  on  earth .  We  read  of  the  patri- 
archs, Abraham,  Ifaac,  and  Jacob,  offering  facrificc,  and  before 
them  Noah,  and  before  him  Abel.  Thii  was  by  divine  appoint- 
ment  ;  for  it  was  pirt  of  God's  wordup  in  his  church,  that  was  of- 
fered up  in  faith,  and  that  he  accepted  :  which  proves  that  it 
was  by  his  inftitution  ;  for  facrificing  is  no  part  of  natural 
worfhip.  The  light  of  nature  doth  not  leach  to  cfTer  up 
hearts  in  facrifice  to  God  ;  vand  feeing  it  was  not  enjoined 
by  the  law  of  nature,  if  it  was  acceptable  to  God,  it  muft  bo 
by  fome  pofiuve  command  or  inftitution  ;  for  God  has  declared 
his  abhorrence  of  fuch  worfkip  as  is  taught  by  the  precept  of  men 
without  his  inftitution  :  If.  xxix.  13.  **  Where  fore  the  Lord  fai<f, 
Forafmuch  as  this  people  draw  near  me  with  their  mouth,  and 
with  their  lips  do  honour  me,  but  have  removed  their  hearts  far 
from  me,  andtheirfear  lownrds  me  is  taught  by  the  precept  of  men  j 
therefore  behold,  I  will  prcceed  to  do  a  marvellous  work,"  &c* 
And  fuch  worfbip  as  hath  n9t  a  warrant  from  divine  inPiitutiont 
cannot  be  offered  up  in  faith,  bscaufc  faith  has  no  foundation  where 
there  is  no  divine  appointment.  It  cannot  be  oiFered  up  in  faith 
of  God's  acceptance  ;  for  men  have  no  warrant  to  hope  for  God*f 
acceptance,  in  that  which  is  not  of  his  appointment,  and  in  that  to 
which  be  hath  not  promlfcd  his  acceptance  :  and  therefore  it  fol- 
lows, that  the  cufiom  of  offering  facrifices  to  God  was  infbitulcj 
fooQ  after  the  fall ;  for  the  fcripture  teaches  ui,  that  Abel  offered 
•'  the  tirfllings  of  his  flock,  and  of  the  fat  thereof,"  Gen,  iv.  4.  j 
and  that  he  was  accepted  of  God  in  his  offering,  Heb.  xi.  4.  And 
there  is  nothing  in  the  Aory  that  looks  as  though  the  ioAitutioa 
was  firft  given  then  when  Abel  offwed  up  that  facrifice  to  God  ; 
but  it  appears  as  tho' Abel  only  therein  complied  with  the  cufiom  al- 
ready eAabliflicd. 

It  is  very  probable  that  It  was  inflituted  immediately  after  God 
had  revealed  the  covenant  of  grace,  in  Gen.  iii.  15.  ;  which  cove- 
nant and  promife  was  the  foundation  on  which  the  cufiom  of  fa- 
crificing was  built.  That  promife  was  the  firft  ftone  that  was  laid 
towards  th'is  glorious  building,  the  work  of  redemption,  which  will 
be  finiQxed  at  the  end  of  the  world*  And  the  next  ftone  which  wat 
laid  tpou  that,  was  the  iaAiiutioa  of  lacxiticeii  to  be  a  type  of  the 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  1  O  N,  24 

The  next  thing  that  we  have  an  account  of  after  God  had  pro- 
nounced fcntence  on  the  ferpcnt,  on  ihc  woman  and  on  the  man, 
wai,  thai  God  made  them  coats  of  Ikini  and  cloathed  them  ;  wbich 
by  the  generality  of  divinei,  arc  thought  to  be  the  Ikins  of  bcaf^i 
(lain  in  facrificc  ;  for  wc  have  no  account  of  any  thing  clfc  that 
ibouldbcthc  occafion  of  man>  flaying bcafls,  but  only  to  offer 
them  in  facrifice,  till  after  the  flood.  Men  were  not  wont  to  cat 
the  flsih  of  beafli  for  their  common  food  till  after  the  flood.  The 
fin^  food  of  man  in  paradifc  before  the  fall  was  the  fruit  of  the  irccs 
of  paradifc  ;  and  when  he  wai  turned  out  of  paradifc  after  the  fall 
then  his  food  was  the  herb  of  the  field  :  Gen.  iii,  18.  ''And 
Ihou  (halt  cat  of  the  herb  of  the  field."  The  firfi  grant  that  he  had 
10  est  fldih  as  his  common  food  was  afjcr  the  flood  :  Gen.  ix,  3. 
Every  moving  thing  that  livcth  fhsll  be  meat  for  you  ;  even  as  the 
green  herb  have  I  given  you  all  things."  So  that  it  is  likely  that 
thcfc  fkins  thaiAdam  and  Eve  were  clothed  wiib,  were  the  flcinsof 
their  facf  ificei.  God's  clothing  them  with  thefe  was  a  lively  figure  of 
their  being  clothed  with  the  rightcoufnefiof  Chrift,  This  cloth- 
ing was  no  clothing  of  their  own  obtaining  ;  but  it  was  God  that 
gave  it  them.  It  is  faid,  **  God  made  them  coats  of  flcini,  and 
clothed  them  ;"  as  the  righteoufnefs  our  naked  fouls  are  clothed 
with,  is  not  our  righteoufaefa  but  the  righlcoufacfi  which  is  ofGod, 
It  ii  he  only  clothes  the  naked  foul. 

Our  firft  parents,  who  were  naked,  were  clothed  at  the  expence 
of  life.  Bcaf^s  were  flain,  and  refigned  up  their  lives  a  facrifice  to 
God,  to  afford  clothing  to  them  to  cover  iheir  nakednefs.  So  dotb 
Chrifl,  to  sflford  clothing  to  our  naked  fouls.  The  flcin  fignifiei 
the  life:  Sojob  ii.  4.  "  Skin  for  fkin.yca  all  that  a  man  hath  will  he 
give  for  his  life  ;"  /.  e,  lift  for  Ufe^  Thus  our  firft  parents  were 
covered  with  fkins  of  facrifices,  as  the  tabernacle  in  the  wildcrnefs, 
which  fignified  the  church,  was,  when  it  was  covered  wilh  rsmi 
fliinsdied  red,  as  though  they  were  dipped  in  bJcod,  to  figni- 
fy  that  Chrlfi's  righteoufnefs  was  wrought  out  through  the  paiai 
of  death,  under  which  he  (bed  his  precious  blood. 

We  obferved  before,  that  the  light  that  the  church  enjoyed  from 
the  f  ^11  of  man,  tillChriil  came,  was  like  the  light  ^^hich  we  enjoy 
in  the  night  ;  not  the  light  of  the  fun  dire(5^1y,  but  as  refle£led  from 
the  moon  and  ft  ifs  ;  which  light  did  forcftiow  Chrif>,  the  Sun  of 
righteoufnefs  that  was  afterwards  to  arife.  This  light  of  the  Sua 
of  righteoufnefs  to  come  they  had  chiefly  two  ways  :  oflt  was  bjf 
prediflions  of  Chrift  to  come,  whereby  his  coming  wai  foretold 
and  promlfed ;  the  other  was  by  types  and  (hadowjj,  whereby  hii 
coming  and  rede«ption  were  prefigured.  The  firH  thing  that  wat 
done  to  prepare  the  way  forChrift  in  the  former  of  thefe  ways, was 
ta  that  prQmif^  th&t  vrai  jul\  taken  doU«$  of  U  the  foregoing  par- 
ticular; 


AHISTORYof  as 

licular  ;  and  the  firft  thing  of  the  Litter  kind,  v*i.  of  types,  to 
forclho.v  Chrift's  c  raing,  wa«  thit  in/lituiioa  ot  facriHces  that  WC 
arc  no^  upon.  A»  that  promifc  iti  (j:n.  iii.  I S  •  wai  the  firft  davrn 
of  gofpcl-Iight  after  the  fAl  in  prophecy  ;  (o  ths  inftitution  of  fa- 
CrjHcsi  was  the  firnhintc(  it  in  types.  The  giving  of  that  pro- 
mifc  ♦f-JJ  the  fir-'t  thing  rhit  wai  done  after  the  fall,  in  this  work, 
in  ChrilVj  prophctIc.il  oiYicz  ;  inflitution  of  facriikes  wai  the  fiift 
thing  that  we  read  of  after  iht  fail,  by  which  efpecially  Chrift  ex- 
hiWited  himfcif  in  his  prJcPtly  office. 

The  inftitution  of  facrifiies  was  a  great  thinj;:  done  towards  pre- 
paring the  way  for  Chriil'sccminis;,  and  working  out  rcdemptron. 
For  the  faerifices  of  the  OldTcAament  were  the  main  of  z.'.\  the  O'i 
Tcftameat  types  of  Chrifl  and  his  redemption  ;  and  it  tended  toefU- 
b'iih  In  the  minds  of  God's  vifiSIc  church  the  neccfTityof  a  piopitia- 
tory  facrlrtce,  in  order -to  the  D.-risy's  being  fatisficd  for  fin ;  and  fo 
prepared  the  way  for  th^  reception  ni  the  glorious  gcfpc!,  that  re- 
veals the  gre^t  facrificc  in  the  vlfibic  churchy. -J&d  not  obTv  fo,but  t^ro* 
the  world  of  mankind.  For  froa  this  inftitution  of  facrlfices  that  vraj 
after  thtf  fail,  all  nations  derived  *he  cuftom  of  facrificirig  For  thif 
euflooa  of  offering  up  facrificcs  to  the  gods,  to  aioa«  for  their  (ius, 
was  common  to  all  nations.  No  nation,  however  barbarous,  was 
fo'ind  without  it  any  where.  This  is  a  great  evidence  of  the  tiutbcf 
theChrinian  religion  ;  for  no  nation,  but  only  the  Jews,  could  tell 
how  I  hey  csmc  by  this  cuflom,  or  to  whai  ptispofc  it  was  to  ofTsr 
facrificcs  to  their  deities.  Tgc  light  of  natuifc  did  ncl  teach  th^m 
anyfuch  thing.  That  did  not  teach  ihi«n  that  the  godi  wcrehucgry, 
2ad  fed  upon  to«  flclh  which  ihcy  burnt  in  ficrifice  ;  and  yet  they 
all  had  this  cufiom  ;  of  which  no  other  account  csn  be  gKvcn,  but 
that  they  derived  it  from  Noah,  who  had  it  fcom  hts  snceffors, 
on  whom  God  had  enjoined  it  as  a  type  of  the  great  fac:Ifice  of 
Chrift.  However,  by  this  mesr.*  ail  natioas  oi  the  wodd  had 
their  minds  poilcffed  with  this  notion,  that  an  atonement  orftcji- 
fice  for  fm  was  ncceffary  ;  and  a  way  made  for  tbcJr  core  rea- 
dily receiving  the  great  do<^rine  of  the  gofpcl  of  Chru%  which 
teaches  us  the  atonement  and  iacririce  of  Chfirt. 

IV.  G^d  did  fooa  after  the  fall  begin  a<flu3!1y  to  {avc  r.be  Teu?* 
of  men  through  Chrift's  redemption.  In  tbid  Chrift,  wnio  h;»cl 
lately  taken  upoa  him  the  work  of  Mcdiitcr  betweenGodaEd  roan, 
did  firft  begin  that  work,  wherein  he  appeared  in  the  cxercife  of 
his  kingly  officc,ai  in  the  facrificcs  he  was  repicfcutcd  ia  hi?prj<;ft. 
ly  office,  and  in  the  firft  prcdidlion  of  rcdcar.ptJonby  Chrtft  ho  had 
appeared  in  the  excrcifc  of  his  prcpheuc?.!  OiTict.  In  that  pzc- 
dicUon  the  light  of  ChriiVs  rcdccnpiion  firfl  besjan  to  di»#n  in  the 
prophecies  of  it  ;  in  the  inftitution  of  facrifiscs  it  f^rft  bcga jt^j 
dawn  i.i  the  types  of  it  ;  lathis,  viz.  his  tcglnniog  aftL3«?Vv  »o  five 
f|ea«  is  lixit  bsgaa  to  dawa  la  the  fiuil  cf  it.  It 


26  tkc  Work  of   K:  E  0E  M  P  T  I  d  M. 

It  If  probable,     hcrefore,  that  At^ara   and  Eve  were  the  ^rft 
fruits  of  CnntVj  rcdea>ption  ;    it  ii  probable  by  Go^'i  manner  ol 
Ifritiag  them,   by  nil  comforting  them  ai  he  did,   after  ihcir   a- 
w-ksniny^s  ^j\J  tr.-.ior3.     They  were  awakened,  and  afhamed  with 
a  fcn^c  of  thtir  pcrilt,  after  their  fall,  when  t^icir  cyci  were  opened, 
and  tbey  favr  that   they  vretc  niked,  and  fe\yed  rg-lcavci  To  cove/ 
ihcir  Hiike^ncfj  •,  as  the  finnef,undcr  the  t:;j'i  awakenings,  is  wont  to 
endeavour  vo  hide  the  nakftdnefn  of  his  foul,  by  patching  up  a  right- 
co<jfncfi  of  hij  own.     Taen  tbey  were  furth'^r  terrified  a&d  aw«»k- 
e>.cd,  by  hearing  the  voice  of  God,   as  he  was  comirg  to  condemn 
thccj.     Tincir  coverings  of  fig  Icavei  do  noi  anfwcr  the  purpofc  j- 
buif  noznUhPidndiug  thcfe,  they  ran  to  hide  theaafclvo  amorg  the 
V.cci  of  the  g^ffen,    bccaufc  iIk;-  ^'crc  naked,  not  daring  to  truft 
tc  rhe^r  fi'jj  Ic^res  to  hide  t'resr  a«kednefi  from  G">d»     T^ea  thrj 
wcic  fuTthcr  awakened  bvG-od's  catliogof  tbcm  to  a  (k/i^  ?ccnuLr» 
'  B;^  Tff.ifc  heir  terrors  were  raifci  to  fucb  a  height,  and  thry  ftood, 
a:<  ¥*  may  fappofe,   ircmbllng.  snd  afloo ifibed  before   ihcirj<jdge, 
vicho'jt  any  thing  to  r.ittch  hold  of,  whence  they  could  gather  atiy 
hope,  then  God  took  cWe  to  hold  forth  feme  encouragement  to 
theci,  to  icecp  thtm  ^rom  tile  dreadful  tfifjclj  of  difpair   under 
their  aw  ^kcri'Ir»g£^by  giving  a  hint  of  a  dcfi^gn  of  mercy  by  s5>Aviour,= 
even  before  he  pronounced  fentcncc  againft  tbem.     And  when  af- 
ter thii  he  proceeded  to  pronoaace  fentencc^  whcicby  we  m^y  fup* 
pofe  ibcir  tcrrori  were  farther  r^sifsd,  God  foon  after  took  care  fo 
ciic^urajrt  th-".ii,   an  1  to-  let  then  fee,   th>it  he  h^d  not  v»holIy  caft 
them  cff,  by  taking  a  fatherly  care  of  ih?m  in  ti^eir  fafldn,  naked, 
and  mif«rahle  ft^te,  by  making  them  costs  of  ^ins  ard  clothing 
them.     Which  alfo  n>inifc fled   an   aceeptance  of  thofa   f  crificej 
Ih^i  they  off-Tcd  toG    i  *or  fin,  that  ihofe  were  the  fkins  of.whf'ch 
were  Jypci  of  whaiG"  .d  h<d  p.omif;;J,   when  he  faid^  **  The  fed 
of  the  wom-in  (h  dl  briiift  thj  krpcnt'^&h'iad  :"  wKch  promifc,lhere 
h  rcafon  to  ihi  ik,  tbey  believed  ^nd  emoraced.     Eve  feems  plain- 
ly to  crprcfi  her  hop-:  i.)  and  ri'ptndcncc  on  that  piomife,  in  what 
Ikt  f^y»  at  the  birth  o»  Cs'n,   G-n,  iv.  r,  '*  I  h;;ve  gotten  a   mar? 
fro.n  the  Lord  ;''  /.  i-  «•  G  -i  Las  p-omifcd,  rhat  my   feed   (V.ould 
bruifc  the  firpeni's  hc;^d  ;    f^nowtiasG^d   given  m^  thii   pledge 
and  token  of  it,  that  I  >.avc  a  feed  born.     Sh*  plainly  owr$,  that 
thif  her  cnild  was  from  G  j1,  and  hoped   th^t  her  promifcd    feed 
was  to  be  J  this  her  eldcft  fon  ;  though  (he  wai  mift  ken,  as  Abra- 
ham wa-      'h  refpeft  u IJhmatL  ^^J^c^  ^a$  with  rcfpf^^  wEfav, 
and  3S  Sam'rd  whs  wit^.-cfpca  to  her  ti^ft  bom  of  Jtfft,     Efpc- 
cially  doe»  vhat  (fee  f/H  ^x  ihc  biuh  t  f  Srth,  exprefi  her  hope  and 
dcpc  dcncc  on  'he  promJfe  cf  (rod  ;   fre  ver.  2^5.  "  For  God  bah 
ippuintc'd  anc  sndibcr  Utip  inftead  of  Abd,  whom  Cain  flew." 
^^  Thua 


A    H  I  S  T  O  R  y    of  «7 

Ttiui  11 U  exceeding  probable,  if  not  evident,  that  as  Chrlft  took 
on  him  the  work  of  mediator  as  ioon  as  man  tell ;  fo  thii  he  new 
iamcdiately  began  hi>  work  of  rcdcmpiion  in  its  tfT-.d,  and  that 
be  immcdiatc'.y  encountered  bis  great  enemy  fie  devil,  nhocn  he 
i:ad  undertaken  to  corvqfjcr,  and  re>cued  ihofc  two  firfl  c»piivR5  owt 
of  hi*  hands  ;  therein  b-.ffl  /.^  hliXi,  foon  after  his  triumph  lor  the 
vidory  he  h.id  obtained  over  them,  whereby  he  bad  made  them  his 
captirei.  Though  he  \r^*,  as  it  were,  fure  of  them  arc!  all  their 
poftcrity,  Chrift  the  Redeemer  fcon  fhowed  him,  that  he  wa* 
miftakcn,  and  ihat  A^  was  able  to  fubdue  him,  and  deliver  fallevi 
man.  He  let  him  fee  ii,  in  delivering  hofc  iirft  capiiwcs  of  hii  j 
and  fo  foon  g^jre  him  an  inllance  of  the  fulfilment  of  that  lh»eat- 
cning,  '*  The  feed  of  the  woman  Iball  brutfc  the  fcrpent'i;  bead  ^;'* 
and  in  this  iiiftancc  a  prcf^ge  of  th*  fuliiiment  of  one  great  ch«ng 
he  had  tndertakeni  viz.  his  fubdning  ail  his  enemies  under  his  feeU 

After  tbii  we  have  another  infiance  of  redemption  in  ar.e  of 
fiheir  children,  v<3  in  righscous  Abel,  as  the  fcrLpture  calU  him, 
V7hofcfoui perhaps  was  tbefi.n  that  w-ent  to  heaven  dirougliChrifl's 
KdemptioQ,  In  him  we  have  at  Us.Cz  the  firu  irti^ancc  of  the  deatb 
of  a  tedcemcd  perfon  that  is  recorded  in  fcriptiire.  If  he  was  the 
Tirft/  then  as  the  redemption  of  Cfarifi  begaa  lo  d5.wi-i  befcic  ivi  the 
fouls  of  men  in  their  converlion  atvd  juf^iiication,  in  hicfi  it  firft 
:beg«n  to  dawn  in  glorification  ;  and  in  htm  the  ar.gt!^  bfgan  (irft 
to  do  the  part  of  miciftririg  fpirits  to  Chrifl,  in  gob-g  fotih  to 
conduft  the  fouls  of  the  redeemed  to  glory,  Jn  him  the  clccft  an- 
gels in  heaven  had  the  ^rft  opportuniiy  to  fee  fo  won<^erful  a  ihing 
at  the  foul  of  one  of  the  fallen  race  of  mankind,  jthat  bad  been 
^unk  by  the  fall  iisto  fuch  an  abyfs  of  fin  and  mifcry,  brought  tu 
heaven,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  heavenly  glory,  which  was  ai 
C3uch  greater  thing  thsn  if  they  had  fccn  h''m  return  to  tie  earthly 
p:cadi(c.  Thus  they  by  this  faw  the  gloriou*  ciTi:(X  of  CLiifi's  re- 
demption, in  the  grest  honour  and  happincff  that  was  procured  for 
finful,  miferabic  creatures  by   it. 

V.  The  nest  reroark;sbk  thing  that  Qod  did  in  iK*  farihcr  carry- 
ing on  of  this  great  s^air  of  redemption  .that  1  fliall  tsskc  notice  of*, 
was  the  fif ft  rejoiarkablc  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  through  Chr'^ 
Shat  ever  was,  which  Kgsinthc  days  cf  Ekos*  This  fecms  to 
have  been  the  rert  rcm.arkahic  ihin^  that  was  dooe  toward  crcifling 
ibis  glorious  building  that  God  had  begun  snd  Uli  the  foundati- 
on of  in  Chrift  the  Mediator,  We  read,  Gen,  iv.  26.  *'  Then 
l^egan  men  to  call  upo«  the  name  0/  the  Lcrd."  The  meaning  of 
ehcfc  words  has  been  confidcrably  controverted  smorg  (divines. 
We  cannot  fuppofe  the  meaning  ii,  that  that  time  was  the  firfi  th^f 
«.Tcr  Kin  pcrforocd  ihz  duty  of  prayer.     Prayer  is  z  jdoty  of   i^s- 


28  the  Work  of   REDEMPTION. 

tufaS  rergon,aod  a  du?y  to  vhich  :<  fpirii  of  piety  docs  moft  natu» 
rally  icad  men  Pra^ er  is  «s  it  were  the  ve?^ breath  of  a  (pi.irof  pi- 
ety ;  and  wc  cannoj  fuppofc  therefore, that  thofc  holy  men  ihat  had 
been  bcfjre  ior  ^bovc  2  nundrci  years^  had  lived  alUhatwhlk  y.iih* 
out  any  prayer,  Therefore  foine  divinci  think  ibat  the  meaning  is^ 
that  then  men  firil  began  10  perform  public  worihip,  or  to  call  up- 
on the  name  of  ihe  Lord  in  pul^lic  afTcmblies.  Whether  it  he  fo 
tp  bs  under Oood  or  no,  yet  fo  much  muft  nccfejTarily  be  unidcrrtood 
by  it,  viz.  thif  th^re  \va»  fomttliing  new  in  the  villb!*  church  of 
God  with  refp^<fl  to  the  duty  of  prayer,  or  calling  upon  the  n^smc 
of  the  iiOrd  ;  that  thtrc  was  a  gccai  addiiion  to  the  perltoimar.ce  of 
this  duty  j  and  that  in  fomc  rcfpcd  or  oihcr  it  was  carried  far  bc- 
yoad  what  it  ever  had  been  bctorc,  which  muft  be  the  confcqucrice 
of  3  rctr*ark-.bie  pouring  cut  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

If  it  W4»  Roxv  firft  th«r  ciirn  were  Airrcd  up  to  get  together  m 
aiT-mblics  to  help  and  a-li'^t  one  another  in  iccking  God,  fo  ai  thry 
ucver  had  done  before,  it  argues  fomcthing  extraordinary  as  the 
caufc;  ^nC  c:uld  be  frotn  nothing  bur  uncommon  influences  ofGod'i 
Spirit.  W"  fee  by  exper i-^nce,  that  a  ren^arkablc  pouring  out  of 
God'i  Spirit  is  cilway,  attcndsd  with  fuch  an  effed,  via.  a  great 
incrc^fc  of  the  pc-i  Torqianceuf  the  oi^y  of  prayer.  When  ihc 
Spirit  of  G06  begins  a  worlf.  on  men's  hearts,  it  itnmcdia.'tly  fcts 
thctn  to  csLtJirg  on  the  nanjc  of  the  Lord.  As  it  wm  with  Fiul 
iificr  the  Spirit  of  Qod  hi<d  Jaid  hold  of  him,  then  the  next  news 
h»  *'  Bthold,  hs  prayetii  !"  fo  it  has  been  in  all  rcjnaikabie  pour- 
ings out  c^  thii  Spirit  of  ^od  that  vfc  hrive  aay  particular  account 
of  in  fcripturr-  ;  and  fo  it  is  foretold  it  will  be  st  the  great  pouring 
out  o^  the  Spirit  0/  God  ii  ihc  latter  days.  It  is  foictold,  ih  t  it 
will  be  po'jjcd  out  as  a  fpiritof  grace  and  fupplicsiion,  Z-^ch.  xis 
10.  Sic  alfo  Z:ph.  iii,  9.  "  vo^  then  will  I  turn  to  the  people  a 
pure  language,  that  ihcy  aiay  aH  all  upon  the  nan^c  of  the  Lord, 
to  ferve  hiaa  with  one  confent." 

When  it  i&  faidp  *'  Then  began  raco  to  call  upon  the  name  of 
the  Lord,"  no  more  can  be  intended  by  it,ihan  that  thii  was  the  ni;t 
remarkable  fcafon  of  this  nature  that  ever  was,  li  was  the  begin- 
ning, orthefii-ft,  of  fuch  a  kind  of  work  of  God,  fuch  a  pouring 
out  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  After  fuch  a  manner  fuch  an  cxprefTion 
is  commonly  u fed  in  icripvurc  :  fo,  i  Sam.xiv.  35.  "  And  Saul 
built  iin  aUar  unto  the  Lord,  the  fame  was  the  Urii  altar  th->t  he 
built  into  the  Lord,"  In  the  Hebrew  it  is,  as  you  may  fee  in  the 
xnargin,  "  that  altar  he  began  to  build  unt.o  the  Lord."  Heb.  ii. 
3.  '•  How  (haP  we  cfcapeif  wc  neg!c<^  fo  great  falvation,  which 
tirft  began  to  be  fpoken  by  the  Loro  ?" 

It  m-iy  here  be  obfsr\ed,  that  from  the  fall  of  tr^an,  to  thiidsy 
j^bcrein  wc  live^  the  waik  of  rcdccoptitj^a  Iq  iu  sifiit  has  mainly 


A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of  <9 

been  carirJei  on  by  remarkable  pourings  out  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
Though  ibcre  be  a  tnost  conilant  influeiiCc  of  God's  Spirit  alwiyt 
in  fome  degree  aetending  hiiordiaaaces ;  yet  the  way  in  which  the 
grcateft  lhing«  have  been  done  towards  carrying  oa  this  work,  il- 
way»  has  been  by  rciirjaikable  pourings  out  of  the  Spirit  at  fpecfal 
fcafon»  of  picrcy,  a*  may  fulJy  appear  hereafter  iaour  further  pro- 
fecution  of  the  iubjedl  we  are  upon.  This  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit 
ia  the  days  of  £«;?/, was  the  fi«  ft  reaiarkable  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  ihat  LvcT  was.  There  had  been  a  faving  woik  of  God  on 
tbe  hearts  o^  fume  before  ;  but  now  God  was  picafcd  to  grant  a 
more  large  trTufion  of  his  Spirit,  for  tbe  bringing  in  an  harvsfl  of 
fuuli  to  Chrift  J  fo  that  in  ihis  we  fee  ihat  great  building  that  is 
tbe  fubjct^  of  our  prefeut  difcourfe,  which  God  laid  the  foundation 
^i  immediately  after  ihe  fall  of  raan,  carried  on  further,  and  built 
higher,  than  ever  it  had  been  before. 

VI.  The  next  thing  I  ftiail  tnke  notice  of,  fs  the  eminently  holy 
life  of  Enoch,  who  wc  have  rcafon  to  think  was  a  faint  of  greater 
caninency  than  any  ever  had  been  before  him  ;  fo  that  in  this  rcf- 
peSt  the  work  of  rcdsmpiion  was  carried  on  to  a  greater  height  than 
6\,'ct  it  had  been  before.  With  refpedt  to  its  ctTecfl  in  the  vifibU 
church  in  gcnersi,  we  obfervcd  juft  now  how  it  was  carried  higher 
in  the  days  of  Enot  ihsn  ever  it  had  been  before.  Probably  Enoch 
was  one  of  the  faints  of  that  h&rvcft  ;  for  he  lived  all  the  days  that 
he  did  live  on  earth,  in  the  days  of  Knot,  With  refpcfl  lo  the 
de^jtee  to  which  this  work  was  carried  in  the  foul  of  a  particu?ar 
jDci  Ion,  i«  wai  raifed  to  a  greater  height  in  Enoch  than  ever  bc/orc. 
His  foul,  ai  it  was  built  on  Cbrifl,  was  built  up  in  holinefs  to  a 
greater  hcij^ht  than  there  had  been  any  inftancc  before.  He  waj 
a  wonderful  inflancc  of  Chfifi's  redemptioa,  and  the  efficacy  of 
bis  grace. 

VII.  In  EnccVt  titrje,  God  did-^iore  expresfly  reveal  the  com- 
ing of  Chrift  than  he  had  done  before,  in  the  prophecy  oi  Enoch 
ih'it  we  have  an  account  of  in  the  14th  and  i^ih  vcrfesof  the  cpiftic 
of  Jade  :  *'  And  Erioch  alfo,  the  fevcnth  fiooa  Ad^m,  prophtficd 
of  thefe,  uying,  Behold,  the  Lord  ccmeih  with  ten  thoufand  of 
his  faints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  and  to  convince  ail  that 
arc  ungodly  among  them,  of  their  ungodly  deeds  which  they  hare 
ungodly  coirmiilcd,  and  of  all  their  hard  ipefches  which  ungodly 
fnners  h?vc  fpokcn  againii  him  "  Here  Enoch  pil^hcfies  of  the 
coming  of  Chrift.  It  docs  not  fecm  to  be  cm  fined  to  any  particular 
coming  of  Chrift  j  but  it  has  rcfpect  ia  general  lo  Chriii's  coming 
in  his  kingdoai,  and  is  fulfilled  in  a  degree  in  both  the  firft  and  fe- 
cond coming  of  Chrifi ;  and  indeed  in  evrjy  rccnirk-«b!c  m^nifclla- 
tion  Chrift  has  made  pi  himfcU  in  the  world,  for  tr  c  faviog  of  hu 
jptypl«,a;.d  ihc  deftio^ing  of  hia  tiicmics,  It  ia  very  p=^ial'.ci  in  '  iS 


Sl^  t5ic  Work  of  REDEMPTION. 

refpeft  wiih  tSs^ny  other  propbecies  of  (he  corning  of  Chrift,  thaE 
were  given  u^sdcr  the  Ol !  Tefiamcnt ;  and,  in  particular,  it  fccnnj 
to  be  parallel  vriih  that  grcit  piophccy  of  Chuft's  cociing  in  hif 
kingdcm  tha?  v/c  have  in  ihc  jih  chapter  of  Daniel,  whence  thp 
Jews  principally  took  their  notion  ol  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
Sec  ver,  lo.  **  A  fiery  i^rcam  ilTued,  ^nd  came  forth  froni  before 
him  :  Tboufand  sboufandj  miiaifircd  vnto  h  m,  and  ten  ihoufand 
lioao  ten  ihoufand  ftood  before  him  :  the  jadgmeut  was  fet,  snd 
the  books  were  opened/'  And  ver,  jj,  14  "  i  (kyr  w  the  nlght- 
vifioDS,  and  heboid,  one  like  the  fon  01  man,  cr^me  with  the  clouds 
of  heaven,  and  ca^e  to  the  ancient  of  days,  and  thej  brought  him 
pear  before  him.  And  there  was  given  him  dominion,  and  glory, 
and  a  kingdom,  that  all  people,  nationj,  and  languages,  Ih-uli 
ferve  him  :  his  dominion  it  an  cvcrlafting  dominion,  which  (hM 
pot  pafi  away, and  hit  fcinj»dom  th^^t  which  flaall  not  be  defiroycd/* 
Though  It  is  not  unlikely  that  Enoch  might  have  a  more  immtihta 
rcfped  in  thit  prophecy  to  the  approaching  dcftruftion  of  the  old 
world  by  the  ftood, which  wai  a  remarkable  rcfemb!r,nce  of'Chrift'« 
deftiuftion  of  all  hit  enemies  at  hii  fccond  coming*  jet  it  doubtlcfe 
looked  beyond  the  type  to  the  antitype. 

A»  thit  prophejcy  of  Chrif/s  coiziiDgi«  more  cs^prcft  than  any  ha<J 
foecQ  before  ;  fo  it  is  as  inflance  of  the  incrcafe  of  that  gofpel  Irghl 
that  b?gan  to  dawn  prefently  aftsnhefall  of  man;  and  is  an  inftance 
of  that  building  that  is  the  fuhjcd  of  our  prefenl  difcourfe,  being 
yet  further  carried  on,  and  built  up  higher  than  it  had  been  bcfo»c. 
Here,  by  the  way,  £  would  obferve,  thst  the  incrc£.fe  of  gofpel« 
light,  and  the  carrying  on  the  work  of  rcdcmpiion,  as  it  rcfpc(5lt 
tiic  cleft  church  in  general,  from  the  firft  crc^ing  of  the  church  10 
|he  er>d  of  ihc  s^orld^  if  very  much  after  the  fame  «anner  ss  the 
carrying  on  of  the  fame  work  2nd  the  fame  light  in  a  particular 
foul,  from  the  time  of  iti  cooycr/Ion,  tiH  it  is  pcrfedled  »mi  c^ownrd 
in  glory.  The  work  in  a  particular  foul  hat  its  up«  and  dowrs  ; 
fomctimes  the  light  fhincs  brighter,  and  fometimct  it  is  a  d^tk, 
time  ;  fomctimct  grace  fectti>  to  prcvsil.  ^r  other  time*  it  feemi 
80  languiftt  for  a  great  while  together.  >nd  corruption  pfevailj,  and 
ibcn  grace  revivet  again.  But  in  gcrrra!,  grace  is  growing  :  from 
its  firft  infufion,  till  it  i«  ncrfcdcd  in  glory,  the  kingdom  of  Chrift 
M  buildisg  up  in  the  foul. 

So  it  it  wjib  refpc(f^  to  the  great  ?ffiir  in  general,  at  it  relate* 
to  the  imiverfai  fu'jeO  of  it,  --»  it  i«  carried  on  from  the  firft  begin- 
jQiag  cf  it  after  the  fall,  ri'?  it  h  p'rrfrftcd  at  the  end  of  the  world, 
«  will  more  fuUy  aj:pcar  by  .1  particular  view  of  this  affair  frotn 
fceginnir^g  to  end,  in  ti  c  profccution  of  rhis  fubjeft,  if  Gcd  gi?c 
4)pportunity  to  cany  it  through  31  |  propofe. 

Villi 


A    H  I  S  t  O  R  r    of  31 

Vni.  The  nfxt  rcmirksble  tbiflg  towards  carry Jng on  this  work, 

that  wc  have  an  account  of  in  fcripture,  h  the  tranflation  of  Enoch 

into  be  ven.     The  acconnt  wc  have  of  it  is  in  G«n.  v.  24.  "And 

Enoch  walked  vyiih  God,    and  he  was  not  ;   for  God  took  him." 

Here  Mofcs,  in  giving  sn  account  of  tbc  genealoj:v  of  fbofe  ihal 

were  of  the  line  of  Noah,  docs  not  fay  cooCtrning  Enoch,  be  lived 

fo  Jong  and  he  died,  as  be  docs  of  the  rcfk  ;  but,  he  vjat  not,  for 

Ood  tcck  him  ;  /.  *.  be  tranflatcd  him  ;  in  body  and  foul  carried 

him  to  heaven  without  dying,  a$  it  is  explained  in  Hcb.  x'u  J. 

«*  By  fliih  Enoch  was  tranilated  ihal  he  liould  not  fee  d'jatb/* 

B)  this  wonderful  woik  of  God,  the  xroik  of  redemption  was  car^* 

ricd  to  a  greater  height  in  fevaral  rcfpe6iS,  than  it  had  been  before, 

y  lu  may  remember,  ihat  when  I  was  flbowing  what  were  the  great 

things  th^t  Goi  aimed  at  in  the  work  of  redemption,   or  what  tho 

anta  thingi  were  that  he  intended  to  bring  ic  pafs ;  I  among  other 

things  mentioned  (p.  12  )ihc  perfcft  reftoring  the  ruins  of  tbc  ftU 

with  refpc^t  to  the  eledt,   and  fcftoring  man  from  that  deAia£lion 

th^t  he  had  brought  on  bimfelf,  boih  In  foul  and  body.     Now  this 

lrar.fi  jtion  of  Enoch  was  tbc  firft  inftance  that  ever  was  of  refloring 

the  ruins  of  the  fall  with  refpec^  to  the  body,  Therehad  been  many 

inftanccs  of  rcftoring  the  foul  of  man  by   Chrift's  redemption,  hut 

none  of  redeeming  and  s<f^ual!y  faving  »he  body  till  now.   All  the 

bodies  of  the  chCt  are  to  be  faved  ss  well  as  their  fouls.     At  the 

end  of  tbc  world,  all  the  bodies  of  the  fainti  (hall  a^uallybc  rc- 

deemsd  ;  thofc  that  then  (hall  have  been  dead,  by  a  refurrcftion  3 

and  others,  that  thca  (b-Al  be  living,  by  caufing  them  to  pafi  undci 

a  glorious  change.   There  wa»  a  nuncber  of  the  bodies  of  faints  rail« 

cd  and  glorified  at  the  refurre^tion  and  afccrfioo  of  Chrift  ;    and 

before  that  there  wss  an  invlsrcc  of  a  body    glorified  in  Elijah. 

But  the  fi  a  iadance  of  all  was  this  of  Enoch,  that  we  are  novr 

fpcaking  of. 

The  work  of  redcnsption  by  this  was  carried  on  further  tba& 
ever  it  had  been  before  ;  as,  by  ihis  wonderful  work  of  God,  there 
Was  a  great  iocreafc  of  gofpcl  light  to  the  church  of  God,  in  thii 
rcfpca.  that  hereby  the  church  had  a  clearer  naanifeflationof  a  fu- 
«ure  ft^tc,  ind  of  ihe  glorious  reward  of  the  faints  in  heaven.  Wc 
are  told,  2  Tim.  i  10.  '*  That  life  and  imaioftality  are  brought 
to  light  by  the  gofpel,"  A-jd  the  more  of  thit  is  brought  to  light, 
the  more  clearly  does  the  light  fhinc  in  that  rcfpcA-  What  waa 
faid  in  theOldTeftament  of  a  future  iftaie,  is  very  obfcurc,  in  com- 
p^rifon  with  the  more  full,  plain,  and  abundant  revelation  given 
of  it  in  ihe  N^w.  But  yet  even  in  thofe  early  days,  the  church 
of  God,  in  this  inf^ance,  was  favored  with  an  inftancc  of  it  fef 
before  tkeir  eyes^  in  that  one  of  their  brethrea  nrai  a^uaUy  takes 

ii9 


32  the  Woik  of  REDEMPTION. 

lip  to  heaven  without  dying  ;  which  wc  have  all  reafon  to  think 
tbcchurchof  God  knew  then,  as  ihey  afterwards  knew  Elijah's 
tranflarion.  And  a§  this  wra?  a  clearer  msnifcflaf'cn  of  a  iuiuic 
ft»te  ihan  the  church  hdd  had  before,  fo  it  was  a  plec^c  or  can  efi 
of  that  future  glorification  of  ali  the  faints  which  God  intended 
through  the  redemption  of  Jefus  Chriih 

IX  The  next  thing  that  I  ihzU  ol  fcrve,  was  the  upholding  the 
chuich  of  God  in  th?  faoRjJy  of  which  Chrift  was  to  proceed,  in 
the  time  cf  that  great  an.-^  general  de'^ei^tl^n  ef  the  world  of  man- 
kind that  Wis  before  She  flood.  The  chu'ch  of  God,  in  all  pro- 
b.^bility,  was  fmall,  in  comparifon  with  the  reft  of  the  world,  (rem 
the  beginning  of  the  licac  that  m^r  kind  fift  bi^gan  to  tnuhiply  oa 
the  face  of  the  earth,  or  from  nhe  time  of  Cain't  detcdion,  and^  de- 
parting horn  amonf?^  the  people  of  God  j  the  time  v»c  read  of.Gtnf 
iv.  16.  "  VVncn  Cain  went  c*jt  from  the  prcfence  of  the  JLotd, 
and  dwelt  ia  the  land  oi  Nod  ;"  which  being  interpreted,  is  the 
land  of  banifl>cncnt  :  I  fay,  from  thii  lim^  of  Cain's  departure  and 
feparation  from  the  church  of  God,  it  is  provable  that  the  chursh 
of  God  wa»  fma!i  in  coaiparifon  with  the  rot  of  the  world.  The 
church  fccrns  to  have  been  kept  up  chiefly  in  the  poftcrit?  of  Seth  j 
for  this  was  the  feed  ihsl  God  appointed  inftead  oi  Abel,  whcna 
Cain  fiew.  But  wc  cannot  rcafonably  fuppofc,  that  S'tf/.V;  poflc- 
fily  were  one  fiftieth  part  of  the  world  J  '*  For  Adam  was  orsc 
hundred  and  :hirty  years  old  when  Seth  wsjj  born."  Bui  C<3/>»jWh3> 
feemslohavc  been  the  ringleader  of  ihofe  that  were  not  of  ihc 
church,  was  Adam's  cldci^  child,  and  probably  was  born  foon  after 
the  fall,  which  doubtlefs  was  foon  after  Adam's  creation  ;  io  that 
there  waa  time  for  Cain  to  have  many  foos  before  Seth  w«s  Lorn, 
and  bcfidci  many  other  children,  that  probably  Adam  and  Eve  had 
before  this  time,  agreeably  to  God's  bicfTing  that  be  gave  thcm» 
whon  he  faid,  "Be  fruitful,  and  multiply,  andrepknid  the  earth;" 
and  many  of  thcfe  children  might  have  children.  The  f\ory  of 
Cain  before  Sstk  was  born,  fcems  10  rcprcfent  as  though  there  were 
great  numbers  of  men  on  theearth  :  Gen.  iv,  14.  15.  *'  Behold, 
thou  haft  driven  mc  out  this  day  from  the  face  of  the  earth  :  and 
from  thy  face  ll\all  I  be  hid,  and  I  thall  be  a  fugitive  and  a  vaga- 
bond in  the  earth  ;  and  it  fhiU  come  to  pafs,  that  every  one  that 
findethmefh-Jl  fluy  me.  And  the  Lord  faid  unto  him, ''Therefore 
whofocvcf  ilnyeth  Csin,  vengeance  fhall  be  tsken  on  him  fcvcn- 
fold.  And  the  Lord  fct  a  oj^rk  upon  CMin  Ufi  any  finding  hiai 
ftjould  kill  him/'  And  all  thofe  that  were  then  in  being  when  Stth 
wa«  born,  muft  be  fuppofed  then  to  (^and  in  equal  capacity  of  m  J- 
tiplying  their  poflerity  with  him  ;  and  therefore,  as  I  faid  before, 
Stth' I  poftcrity  were  but  a  faiail  part  of  ihciatwibiUntj  of  the  world. 

$ut 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION.  jj 

Bu?  after  the  days  of  Enos  and  Enochf  {tor  Rnock  wai  tranflatcd 
before  Enof  died) ;'[  fay,  after  their  days,  the  church  of  God  great- 
ly dla^iRiifccd,  in  proponicn  as  multitudes  that  were  of  ihc  line  oi 
Ssih,  and  had  been  born  la  the  church  of  God,  fell  avyay,  and  join*  . 
ed  with  the  wicked  world,  principally  by  meant  of  iiitcima?  iagct 
wahthem  :  ai  Gen.  vi.  i»  2.  &  4.  **  And  it  came  topafs,  whca 
men  began  to  multiply  on  ihe  fane  of  the  earth,  and  daughters  were 
born  untoihcm,  that  the  foni  of  God  faw  the  daughters  of  raen, 
that  they  were  fair  ;   and  they  lock  them  wives  of  all  which  they 

Chofe There  were  giants  id  the  earth  in  thofc  days  ;  and  alfo 

after  that,  when  the  fons  of  Gpd  caoie  in  unto  the  daughters  of 
men,  and  they  bare  children  to  them,  the  famie  became  rnighty  men, 
which  were  of  old  men  of  renown. "  By  the  fons  cf  God  bc:c,  sre 
doubilcfi  meant  the  chilfiren  of  the  church.  It  is  a  denominatloa 
often  given  them  in  fcripture.  They  intermarried  with  the  wick- 
ed world,  and  fohad  their  hearts  led  away  frocn  God  ;  and  there 
was  a  great  and  coniiauil  defection  from  the  church.  The  church 
of  God,  that  ufed  to  be  a  reftraint  on  the  wicked  world,  diminiih- 
cd  eiccsdiogly,  andfo  wickcdncfr  went  on  without  reftraint.  And 
Satan,  th^t  old  fcrpcnt  the  devil,  that  tempted  our  firf^  parents,  and 
fct  up  hlmfclf  as  God  of  this  world,  raged  exceedingly  j  and  eve-- 
ry  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of  man's  heart  was  only  evil  cob- 
tinually,  and  the  earth  was  filled  with  violence.  It  fcemed  to  be 
deluged  with  wlckcdncfs  now,  as  it  was  with  water  afterwards  ? 
and  mankind  in  general  were  drowned  in  this  deluge  ;  almoft  slS 
were  fwnllowcd  up  in  It.  N^w  Satan  made  a  moft  violent  and  po- 
tent attempt  to  fwallow  up  the  church  of  God  ;  and  had  aiscofb 
done  it.  But  yet  G^d  prefcrved  h  In  the  mldft  of  all  this  liood  of 
wickedncfs  and  violence.  He  kept  it  up  in  that  line  of  which 
Chrift  was  to  proceed.  He  would  not  fuifer  it  to  be  deftroytd, 
for  a  fclciTing  was  in  it.  The  Lord  the  Redeemer  was  in  this 
branch  of  mankind,  and  wa»  afterwards  to  proceed  frem  It. 
There  was  a  particular  family  that  was  a  root  in  which  the  great 
Redeemer  of  the  world  was,  and  whence  the  branch  of  rjgbtcouf" 
ccfs  afterwards  wis  to  (hoot  forth.  ThcrefcfCjhowevrt-  ihc  branches 
wer«  lopped  off,  and  the  tree  fcemed  to  dcftroyed ;  yet  God  'p  the 
midft  of  all  this,  kept  alive  this  root,  by  h's  wonderful  reflccnning 
power  and  grace,fo  thai  the  gates  of  hell  could  not  prevail  agalaflit* 

Thus  I  hare  (hown  how  God  carried  on  ?1^  gr^?.t  affair  of  re- 
demption ;  how  the  building  went  on  that  G  ><^  *  egan  after  the  fall^ 
during  this  fifft  period  of  the  times  of  the  Olu  Teftamcrft,  viz.  from 
the  fall  of  man,  tiUGod  brought  the  flood  on  the  ear»h.  And  I 
Would  take  notice  upon  it,  that  though  the  hiviory  which  Afofcr 
gives  of  the  great  works  of  God  during  that  fpaee  be  very  fijort  ; 
yet  it  B  cxcscding  comprehenfivc  and  iaAru(^.irc*     It  nr-y  slfo  be 

D  proiltftbte 


U  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    ol 

profitable  fcr  uf  here  to  cbfcrvc,  the  cflicacy  of  that  purchafc  cf 
rcjcajption  :hat  had  fuch  great  cffcas  crtn  in  ihc  old  world  fo  ma- 
ny  agei  before  Chrifl  appeared  himfclf  to  purchafc  redemption, 
that  hi>  bldoj  fhoald  have  fuch  great  e/ficacy  fo  long  before  it  vraj 
iced. 

PART        If. 

i^rom  tile  flood  to  the  calling  of  Abraham. 

T  PROCEED  now  to  (ho^  how  the  farac  ^ork  was  carried  oth 
X  through^ihQ fecoad  ptriod of  the  Old  Teftamcnt,  that  frcrn  tht . 
beginning  of  the  fiood  tillihi  culling  of  Jbraham  :  for  though  that 
mighry,  overfiuwing,  univcrfal  deluge  of  waters  overthrew  the 
world  J  yet  it  diJ  not  overthrow  this  building  of  God,  the  work  of 
rcjca:ption.  But  this  went  on  yet ;  aod  infttad  of  being  over- 
thrown, continued  to  be  built  up,  and  was  carried  en  to  a  furtkcf 
preparation  for  the  great  Savicut'i  coming  into  the  world,  and 
working  out  rcdeoapiion  for  his  people.     Here, 

I.  The  flood  itfcif  was  a  work  of  God  that  belonged  to  this 
great  aiTair,  and  tended  to  promote  is.  AlJ  the  great  and  mighty 
works  of  God  from  the  fall  of  man  to  the  end  of  the  world,  arc 
reducible  to  this  great  work,  sad,  if  feen  in  a  right  view  of  ihcm, 
>vin  appear  as  parts  of  it,  and  fo  many  ftcps  that  God  h^s  taken  ia 
order  to  it,  or  ai  carrying;  it  on  }  and  doubik;fi  fo  great  a  woik,  fo 
fcmarkablc  and  univcrfala  cataHrophe,  as  the  deluge  wa»,  canncS 
be  excepted.  It  was  a  work  that  Gcj  wrought  in  order  to  it,  as 
^hereby  God  removed  out  of  the  way  the  tncipics  and  obftaclcs  of 
it,  that  were  ready  to  overthiow  ita 

Satan  fcema  to  have  been  in  a  dfcadfut  rage  juj^  before  the  flood, 
and  his  rage  ihe-n  doubtlc^'f,  was,  as  it  alvv^ys  has  been,  chiefly  a- 
gainft  the  church  of  God  to  overthrow  it  5  and  he  had  filled  thi 
earth  with  violence  and  rage  againft  it.  He  had  drawn  over  al- 
moft  all  the  world  to  be  oa  his  nJe,  and  they  lifted  under  his  ban- 
tier  againft  Chriil  and  his  church.  We  icad,  that  the  earth  *'  wss 
filled  with  violence  ;"  and  doubtlcfs  that  violence  was  chiefly  a- 
gain  ft  the  church,  in  fuifilaacnt  of  what  was  foretold,  I  will  pvt 
iftmity  between  thy  fee  li  and  her  Jeed,  Their  enmity  aad  violence 
was  fo  great,  and  the  enemies  of  the  church  fo  numerous,  ih« 
whole  woild  being  againft  the  church,  that  it  was  come  to  iht: 
lift  cxtrerttity.  Noah's  reproofs,  and  his  preaching  of  righteouf- 
rcfs,  were  utterly  difrcgsjrdcd.  God's  fpirii  had  ftrivcn  with  them 
sn  hundred  and  twenty  year8,,and  all  in  vain  ;  and  the  church  was 
Si\mof\  fwallovired  up.  It  fecms  to  have  been  reduced  to  fo  narroMf 
HaiJs,  p%  to  be  corfincd  fo  ore  family.  And  there  was  no  prof" 
pc(ft  of  any  thing  c'fe  b^ut  of  thci*-  totally  fwallowing  up  the  church, 
and  that  in  n  very  lUtlc  time  ;  and  fo  wholly  deftroying  that  fmall 
root  that  had  the  blcfiing  in  it,  ojr  whsnc«  the  Redcesier  was  to  pro* 
cccd.  Thtrcforc, 


the  Woik  of   REDEMPTION.    '  r> 

Therefore,  God's  dcftroying  thofe  cncmici  of  the  church  by  the 
jS'ood,  belongi  to  this  affair  of  redemption  :  for  h  wai  one  ihin^ 
.fbat  was  done  in  fulfiloacnt  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  as  it  was  re- 
'yealcd  te  Adam  :  ^*  1  will  put  enmity  between  ihcc  and  the  wo- 
apian,  and  between  thy  feed  and  her  feed  ;  it  Hiall  bruile  iby  head." 
This  deAruiflion  was  onljj  a  dcf^ru<^ion  of  the  feed  c/  the  fcrpcnt 
in  the  midft  of  their  violent  rige  againft  the  feed  of  the  woman, 
and  fo  delivering  the  fcid  of  \tz  woquin  from  them,  when  \xi 
utonoft  peril  by   thcm» 

Wc  read  of  icarce  any  great  dcftruOioa  of  nation*  any  where  In 
Scripture,  but  that  one  main  reafon  given  for  it  is,  their  cnmi'y 
£nd  injuries  againfl  God's  church  ;  and  doubtlcfs  thio  was  one  wain 
reafon  of  the  dcriruC"tion  of  all  nations  by  the  flood.  The  giants 
that  were  ia  thofe  days,  in  all  likelihood,  got  iheoafclvcs  their  re- 
nown by  their  great  exploits  againA  Htxycn,  and  againA  Chrifi 
and  hii  church,  the  remaining  fonc  of  God  thaj  had  not  corrupted 
thcmfclvcs. 

Wc  read,  that  juft  before  the  world  (hall  be  deftroyed  by  fire,  the 
nations  that  arc  in  the  four  quarjcrc  of  the  earth,  (hsll  gather  to- 
gether againH:  the  church  as  the  fand  of  the  fra,  and  ft^all  go  up  ca 
the  breadth  of  the  earth, and  compsfs  the  camp  of  the  faii'ts  about, 
and  the  beloved  city  ;  and  then  tire  (hall  cooie  down  iiom  God 
out  of  KeavcB,  and  devour  them,  Kcv.  sa.  8.  9.  And  it  fccmi 
as  though  there  was  that  which  was  very  parallel  to  it,  juft  before 
the  world  was  dcftroycd  by  water.  Tl»crcfore  tbcir  defuudion  waa 
a  work  of  Qo<i  that  did  ai  much  belong  to  the  work  of  fedemplioc, 
ss  the  de/trudion  of  the  Egyptiar.t  belonged  to  the  rec'.cmption  of 
the  children  of  ffracl  out  of  Egypt,  or  as  the  .defiru^ion  of  Sen'* 
nacherib's  mighty  arii^y,  that  had  compafTEd  about  jerufalem  to 
deftroy  it,  belonged  to  God's  redcroption  of  that  city  from  thcoi. 

By  means  of  this  flood,  all.  the  enemies  of  God's  church,  againft 
whom  that  liulc  handful  had  no  f  rcngth,  were  fwcpt  rff  at  once. 
God  took  their  part,  and  appeared  for  them  ?gainfl  their  enccnicf, 
and  drowned  thofe  o^  whom  they  had  been  afraid  in  the  flood  of 
water,  as  he  drowned  the  enecsies  of  Ifraci  that  purfued  them  ia 
the  Red  fea. 

Indeed  God  could  fcave  taken  oth«  methods  to  deliver  hit 
church  :  he  could  have  converted  all  the  worJd  inftcaJ  of  drowning 
it ;  and  fo  he  could  have  taken  another  method  than  drowning  th^ 
^gyptiani  in  the  Red  fea.  But  that  u  no  a-gumcnt,  that  the 
luethod  that  he  did  take,  was  not  a  method  to  (how  bis  redeeming 
mercy  to  them. 

By  the  wicked  world's  being  drovvacd,the  wickcd,thecofmic«  of 
God's  people,  jffcrc  difpofieiTed  of  the  earth,  and  the  wFclp  ea:^ 
^ivco  10  Noah  and  hij  hmWy  to  poflcfi  \u  quiet  :    as  God  nude 

rooBi 


Yj  a    H  I  S  T  O  R  T    of 

room  for  the  7/Vtff//l*/ in  C^naen,  by  eafting  out  their  eQCrafes 
fiQTT^  before  ihcm.  And  6ad'i  tUiw  taking  the  poflcfTion  of  ihc 
dncm'.cs  of  the  church,  ;)nd  givisjg  it  all  to  his  church,  wagagrcc- 
sblc  io  Eh£t  prooiirc  oi  the  covcaantof  grace  :  Pfal.  xxxvti.  9. 10, 
XI.  •*  i^'or  evil  doers  ihall  bt  cut  ofi  :  but  thofetbat  wait  upon  the 
L::rd,  they  ftia!!  inherit  the  earth.  For  yci  a  Utile  while  ^nd  th« 
wicked  Cji-;*  not  be  t  yea  th;:)u  (bait  di?'gcntly  contidlir  his  place, 
aad  h  IhaSS  no'i  bt.  But  the  meek  ftiall  inherit  £hc  earth,  siid  ^all 
HcH'^hs  ihc2i^£.5vcs  in  the  abundance  of  peace.'" 

21.  Another  thing  here  belonging  to  the  fame  work,  wxsGod's  fo 
vyoadcyfiiliy  prsfck-vi^g  that  fa  an  ily  of  which  the  Redetmcr  wa$ 
to  proceed,  when  sU  the  I  eft  of  the   world  was  drowned.    Gcd'» 
drownixig  the  world,   and  faving  Nc^A' and  lus  family,   both  were 
woiks   reducibiC  to  this  gic&t  work.    The  faving   Noah  and  hit 
limiJy  belonged  to  it  vvo  ways.     As  thit  fajnily  was  the  family 
of  which  the  Redeemer  was  to  proceed,  and  as  that  family  was  the 
church  thst  he  had  ycduemcd,  it  was  the  myftical  body   of  Chrift 
ahat  was  jhere  faved,     Ti^e  majincr  of  God's  faviKg  thofepcrfons,, 
when  ali  the  worSd  ber^dcn  was  to  overthrown,  was  veiy  wonder- 
lu!  &nd  reaiarkabk.     Is  was  a   vrondetful  tnd  remarkable  type  of 
Khs  redemption  of  Chri^^,  of  that  redcirspiion  that  is  fcaled  by  the 
baptifm  oif  water,  and  38  fo  fpoken  of  in  the  New  Tcfisment,  as 
1  Peti  iii,  20.  21,  "'  Which  fooie  tijriC  were  difcbcdient,   whea 
©nee  thi  long-fuiferbg  c-f  God  wailed  in  she  days  of  Noah,  vyhile 
ahc  ark  was  pfgp^iriag,  wherein  few,  that  is  cij^ht  fouU,  were  faved 
by  watcr»   The  Hke  %«re  \rhcreunto,  evsn  baptifm,  doth  alfo  cow 
jfavc  us,  (coc  the  putting  «way  of  the  tilth  of  the  fiefii,  but  the  aa- 
f-,vcr  of  a   good  coafciencc   to»-ards  God)  by  the  rcfurreftion  of 
JeftiflChrir^."    That  waser  that  wraihcd  away  the  filth  of  the  world, 
^ai  cleared  the  world  of  wicked  men,  was  a  type  of  the  blood  of 
Cbrii^,  that  ta^cs  away  the   fin  of  the   world.     That  water  thai 
dcHvered  Noah  and  his  fens  froai  their  enemies,  is  a  type  pf  the 
Hood  Jhst'deliversGod  s  church  from  their  fins,  their  worft  enemies, 
5'hat  water  that  was  fo  plentiful  and  abundant,  that  it  filled  the 
world,  £nd  reached  above  the  tops  of  the  bigheft  raountains,  was  a 
Cype  of  that  blood,  the  fufticicncy  of  which  t»  fo  abundant,  that  i^ 
h  fuificient  for  the  whole  world  ;   fullicicnt  to  bury  jhc  bigbefi: 
ssountaini  of  fin,"  The  ark,  that  was  the  refuge  and  hiding  place 
of  the  church  in  this  timeof  i^orm  and  flood,  was  a  type  of  Chrirtp 
^he  true  hiding  phce  of  the  church  from  the  Aorms  and   floods  of 
God'a  wrath* 

111.  The  next  tbirg  I  would  obferve  if,  the  new  grant  of  ?hc 
Otnh  God  made  to  Noah  and  bis  faaaily  insmcdiately  after  the 
liood,  as  founded  on  the  covenant  of  grace.  The  i'acrifice  0£ 
^hiiii  vTu3  rcprcfGsitsd  by  Ni>i.^'»  bwUing  ^u  alrtt  :o  the  Lord  and 


&t  Work  of  REDEMPTION, 


37 


oflfcfiftg  a  facrificc  of  CTcry  clean  bcaft  and  fowl.    And  wc  have  an 
iccount  of  God'f  accepiiog  this  facriticft  :  and  thereupon  hii  blcfTcd 
Noah,  2nd  el\ab!i(hcd  his  covcnani  wiih  him,  and   with  his  Iced, 
promifing  to  dcTiroy  the  caiih  ic  like  manner  no  snore  j  fignifying 
how  that  it  ii  by  the  facrificc  of  Cbfift  thaiGcd'i  favour  it  obtain- 
ed, and  fail  people  arc  in  fa/ciy  frccn  God's  dsfiroyir.g judgement*, 
and  do  obtain  the  blcfnng  of  the  Lord.   And  God  noiy>  ca  occilioc 
of  thi>  facfiricc  that  Noah  oifcrcd  toGcd,givcjr  him  and  hi«  poflerity 
a  new  grant  of  the  earth  ;  a  new  pov»/cr  ot  dominion  over  tbccrea* 
turcs,  as  founded  on  that  facrifice,  and  fo  founded  on  the  coven- 
ant of  grace.     And  fo  it  is  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  divcrfc  graz»8 
from  that  which  was  made  to  Adam,   tfa<it  we    have,  Gen.  i.    28, 
^'  And  God  bleifcd  them,  and  God  faid  unto  them,   Kc   fruitful, 
and  multiply,  and  rcplcr.ikh  the  earth,   and   fubdue  it  ;    and  have 
dominion  over  the  fi(h  of  the  fea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,   ancj 
over  every   living  thing  that  moveth  upon  the  earih."     Which 
grant  wa«  not  founded  on  the  covenant  of  grace  ;  for  it  was  given 
to  Adara  while  he  was  under  the  covcnml  of  works,  and  therefore 
was  antiquated  when  thai  eovena^nt  ceafcd.     The  Hrft  grant  of  the 
tarih  to  Adam  was  founded  on  the  firft  covenant ;  and  therefore, 
when  tliat  firft  covenant  was  broken,  the  right  conveyed   to  hica 
by  that  firfl  covenant  was  forfeited  and  ioJt.  Hence  it  cacne  to  pafs, 
«hal  the  earth  was  taken  away  from  mankind  by  the  flood  :  for  the 
firll  grant  was  forfeited  ;  and  God  had  never  made  another  after 
that,  till  afccr  the  flood.     If  the  firfl  eovcnan?  had  not  been  brok« 
en,  God  never  would  have  drowned  the  world,  and   fo  have   taken 
it  away  from  mankind  :  for  then  the  firft  grant  made  to  mankind 
wc>uld  have  ftood  good.     But  that  was  broken  ;  and   fo  God  after 
a  while,  dcflfcycd  tfec  earth,  when  the  wickedrjcfs  of  man  wasgreai* 
But  after  the  flood,  on  Noih's  offering  a  facrifice  that  reprcfcnfe- 
?d  the  facrifice  of  Chrif>,  God,  ia  fmelling  a  ftvect  favour,  or  ac- 
cepting that  facfific?,a8  it  was  a  reprcfcnUtfon  of  the  true  facrifice 
«)f  Chrift,  which  is  a  fwect  favour  indeed  to  God,  he    givn  Noah 
a  new  grani  of  the  «rth,   founded  on  Jhst  facrificc  of  Chrift,  o** 
that  covenant  of  grace  which  is  by  that  fscrihcc  of  Chrift,    with  a 
promife  annexed,  that  now  the  earth  fiiould  no  more  be  dcnroyed„ 
till  the  confujcmation  of  all  things  i  at  you  may  fee  in  Gen.  viii, 
to,  2;.  22.  and  chaptar   ir.    i.  2-  j.  7.     The  rcafcn    why  fuch 
a  prcmifc.  ^hat  Gcd  would  no  more  dcftroyihe  earth,  was  addeJ 
to  this  grant  made  to  Noah,  and  not  to  that  made  to  Adam,  waj 
becaufe  this  was  founded  on  the  covenant  of  grace,of  which    Chrift 
was  the  furciy,  and  therefore  could  not  be  broken.    Therefore  it 
comes  to  pafs  now,  that  though  the  wickcdncfsof  man  has   dtc^d" 
iii\ly  raged,  and  the  earth  been  filled  with   violence  aod   wicked- 
8|£fi  ihoufands  of  Siacs,  aad  02c  a^c  afi^f  saothcr,  and  much  mere 


58  AHISTORYof 

(dreadful  and  aggravated  wickedncfs  than  the  world  wi»  full  of  before 

the  flood, being  againft  fo  much  grcjrcr  light  and  mercy  ;  cfpccwl- 

ly  in  thcfe  d«yi  of  the  gofpcl :   yet  Qod's  patience  holes  out ;  God 

.does  not  dcftroy  the  earth  j  his  mercy  and  forbearance  abides  ac- 

^  cording  to  hii  prcB»£c  ;   and  his  grant  eniabllAicd  with  Noah  and 

'  bis  fons  abide*  t^rca  and  good,  being  founded  oa  the  covenant  of 

grace, 

IV.  On  this  God  renews  with  hToab  and  bis  ions  the  covenant- 
of  grace,  Gen.  ix,  9.  10.  "  And  I,  behold^  I  eAabiifii  my  <io- 
venant  vt"Ilb  you,  and  with  your  feed  after  you,  and  with  every 
living  creature  that  is  with  you,"  &c.  ;  which  was  the  covenant  of 
grace  ;  which  C7cn  the  brute  creation  have  this  bcneist  of,  that  k 
fliall  never  be  dcftroycd  again  till  the  confunr.mation  of  alt  thi»j^« 
When  we  have  this  cjsprefiion  in  fcripturc,  my  covenant,  it  com- 
laonly  is  to  be  undcrftood  of  the  covcnsat  of  grace.  The  manner 
p(  ciprellion,  **  1  will  cftabliCh  my  covenant  with  you,  and  witb 
your  feed  after  you,"  Ihc^^s  plainly,  that  it  was  a  covenant  already 
in  being,  tliat  had  btca  made  already,  and  that  Noah  would  ua- 
derftand  what  covenant  it  w^i  by  that  dcoorcinalion,  viz.  thjB 
sovcnsnt  of  grace. 

V.  God's  difappolnting  it-e<!c:r?gn  of  build ijtg  the  city  and  toircf 
of  Babel.  This  work  of  God  belongs  to  thegreat  work  of  redemption^ 
For  that  buildiag  was  undertaken  in  oppofition  to  this  great  build- 
ing of  God  that  we  arc  fpcaking  of,  Mcn»  going  about  to  build 
fuch  a  city  and  tower  was  an  c^cd  of  the  corruption  that  mankind 
v/erc  now  foou  fallen  into.  This  oiiy  sad  tower  wa»  fcl  up  in  op- 
pofition to  the  city  of  God,  £s  the  god  that  tbey  buiU  it  to,  wa§ 
{jhcir  pride.  Being  fuok  into  adifpofiiion  lo  forfakc  the  trucGodp 
£hc  firft  idol  tbey  fet  up  in  hii  roon;,  was  thjemfclyes,  their  oivn 
glory  and  fame.  And  as  this  city  and  tower  bad  their  foundation 
iaid  in  the  pride  and  vanity  of  men,  and  the  haughtinefi  of  their 
minds,  fo  is  wss  built  on  a  foundsition  exceedingly  contrary  to 
the  nature  of  the  foundation  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift,  and  hi« 
jTcdeemed  city,  which  has  its  foundation  laid  in  humility. 

Therefore  God  faw  that  it  tended  to  fruftrate  the  defign  of  that 
great  building  that  was  founded,  not  in  the  haughtincf*  of  men, 
but  Chrifl's  blood  :  and  ihstcforc  ihc  thing  that  they  did  difpleafed 
«he  Lord,  and  fee  baffled  and  confounded  the  de*'ign,  and  did  not 
fuffer  thc«  to  bring  it  to  perfection  ;  as  God  will  frufUatc  and 
confound  all  other  buildings,  that  are  fct  up  in  uppofuicn  to  tha 
great   building  of  the  work  of  redemption. 

In  the  fccond  chapter  of  Ifaiab,  where  the  prophet  is  fcretcK'nC 
God's  fctting  up  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  in  the  world,  he  forcicW 
bow  God  wisi,  in  order  to  it,  brirg  .iown  the  huuiiuinefs  o-  nit^ 
i&cd  bQVf  the  day  of  the  Lord  ihaU  bf  00  fviry  high  to-wtr,  aifS 

upon 


tiic  Work  of   K  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  39 

upon  every  fcnud  wjH,  (^c.  Chrift'i  kingdom  is  cftabliAccf,  by 
bunging  down  every  high  thing  to  maks  nty  for  it,  z  Cor.  x.  4.  ja 
•*  Kor  the  weapons  of  ojr  warfare  arc  mighty  through  God  to  the 
pulling  down  of  flrong  holJ«,  cafliflg  down  ioiaginationf,  and 
every  high  iLingihat  exalteihijfelf  againfl  the  kno^rlcdgc  of  God.'* 
What  it  done  in  a  p;irticular  foul,  to  make  way  for  ths  fcttin^  up 
6f  Chrin'i  kingdom,  i*  to  dcRroy  Babel  ia  that  fou?. 

They  !n{cnded  to  have  built  B^ibcl  up  to  heaven.  That  building 
that  is  the  fubjccl  ws  are  upon, is  a  building  that  ia  intended  tobebuiU 
fo  bi^h,  its  top  Rnll  reach  to  heaven  ind^«d,  as  it  will  to  the  higheft 
heavens  at  the  cad  of  the  world,  when  it  (hall  be  fiaiflied*  and  there- 
foreGod  would  not  fuffcr  the  building  of  hiicncmics,ihat  Ihcydefign 
ed  to  build  up  to  hcivcn  ia  oppofuiou  toit.ioprofper.  If  they  had 
gone  on  and  profpcjcd  in  building  that  city  and  tower,  it  might 
have  kept  the  world  of  wicked  men,  the  cncmici  of  the  church, 
together,  as  that  was  their  dcfigH.  They  might  have  remained 
initcd  in  one  vaft,  powerful  city  ;  and  fo  they  might  have  been 
too  powerful  for  the  ciiy  of  God,  and  quite  fwallowcd  it  up. 

This  city  of  Bibel  is  the  fame  with  the  city  of  Babylon  ;  fof 
Babylon  in  the  original  is  Babel.  But  Babylon  was  a  city  thMt  h 
always  fpoken  of  in  fcripturs  as  chiefly  oppofite  to  the  city  of 
God.  Babylon,  and  Jcrufalem,  or  Zioa,  are  oppofed  to  each 
other  of<en  both  in  the  Old  Tcftamcnt  and  New.  This  city  wu  a 
powerful  and  terrible  enemy  to  the  city  of  God  afterwards,  not- 
withftanding  this  great  check  put  to  the  building  of  it  in  the  begin- 
ning. But  it  might  have  been,  and  probably  would  have  been 
vaftly  more  powerful,  and  able  to  v»x  and  deftroy  the  church  of 
(Sod,  if  it  had  not  been  thus  checked. 

Thus  it  was  In  kindncfi  to  his  chureh  in  the  world,  and  Irx 
profecution  of  the  great  defign  of  redemption,  that  God  put  a 
flop  to  the  building  of  the  city  and  tower  of  EabcK 

VI.  The  difperfing  of  the  nations,  and  dividing  the  earth  among 
lis  inhabitants,  immediately  after  God  had  caufed  the  building  of 
Babel  to  ceafa.  This  was  done  fo  as  moi^  to  fuit  that  great  defiga 
of  redemption.  And  particularly,  God  therein  had  an  «y«  to  the 
future  propagation  of  tVic  gofpcl  among  the  nations.  They  were 
fo  placed,  the  boyt]*  of  their  habitation  fo  limited  round  about 
the  land  of  Cinain,  the  place  iaid  out  for  the  habitation  of  God's 
people,  ai  mo.t  fuitcd  the  dcHgn  of  propagating  the  gofpel  among 
them:  Dsut,  xxxif.  8.  "When  theMofiHigh  divided  to  the  nalloni 
their  inheritinc«,  when  he  fcparated  tba  fons  of  Adam,  he  fet  the 
bounds  of  the  people  according  to  the  number  of  the  obildren  of 
ITrael.'*  Afti  xvii,  26.  27*  **  And  hith  made  of  one  blood  all 
liitioas  of  men,  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  batb 
tfetcrmiaed  the  times  before  appointed,  and  the  bounds  of  thecr 

babitaiioQS ; 


<©  AHISTORYof 

fcabifations ;  that  they  flnould  fcek  the  Lord,  if  haply  they  tsa'f^Vf 
fr.cl  after  him,  and  tind  him."  The  land  of  Canaan  wa«  the  ttooft 
conveniently  fituatcd  of  any  place  m  tbc  world  for  the  purpofe  of 
fprcading  the  light  of  the  gofpcl  thence  aa.ong  the  nations  In  ge- 
neral. The  inhabited  world  wa«  chicfty  in  the  Roman  cropirt  io 
the  tifflci  immediately  after  Cbrift,  which  was  in  lh«  countries 
round  about  Jcrufalean,  and  fo  propcdy  fiiuated  for  the  purpofe  of 
diffufing  the  light  of  the  gofpel  aaiong  them  from  that  place.  The 
^cvil  feeing  the  xdyantagc  of  this  ijtuaiion  of  the  nations  for 
promoting  the  great  woi^  of  redemption,  and  the  difadvantigc  of 
ij  with  rcfpcd  to  the  imcrcfts  of  his  kicgdom,  afterward  led  a^ay 
many  oatioiw  into  the  rcmotcft  parts  of  the  world,  »o  that  cndi 
Jo  get  them  out  of  ihc  way  of  the  gofpcl.  Thu»  he  led  fome  into 
Aojcrica  j  and  otheii  into  northern  cold  rcgioni,  ihat  arc  alaioft 
inacceffiblc. 

VII.  Another  thing  I  would  mention  in  this  period,  wa»  God'i 
preferring  tnc  true  religion  in  the  line  of  which  Chrift  was  to  pro- 
ceed, when  the  world  in  general  apoftatized  to  idolatry,  ^nd  the 
church  were  in  inamincnt  danger  of  bdng  fwallowcd  up  in  the  ge- 
BCfal  corruption.  Although  God  had  lately  wrought  fo  wonderful* 
3y  for  the  delircrancc  of  his  church,  and  had  fbewn  fo  great  mercy 
«o«rardi  it,  as  for  its  fake  even  to  deAroy  all  the  refl  of  the  world  . 
asd  aiihough  he  had  lately  renewed  znd  eftablift^ed  his  covenant  of 
grace  with  Noah  acd  his  foas  ;  yet  fo  prone  is  the  corrupt  heart  of 
laan  to  dcpar?  from  God,  and  to  fjnk  into  the  depths  of  wickcdnefiif 
and  fo  prone  to  d^rkncfs,  dclufion,  and  idohtfv,  si  ihat  the  world 
foon  after  the  f.ood  fell  intogrofs  idolatry  5  fo  that  before  Abra- 
haga  the  diiiecnper  was  bccorae  almo>1  univsrf&l.  The  cartk  was 
become  very  corrupt  st  the  lime  of  the  building  of  Babel  ;  and  c- 
^zn  God's  people  them feivcj,  even  that  line  of  which  Chrift  was  to 
came,  were  corrupted  in  a  meafurc  with  idolatry  :  Jolh,  iriv.  2, 
^'  Vour  fathers  dwelt  on  the  other  fide  of  the  fiood  ir>  old  lisQc, 
even  T:rah  the  fathtr  of  Abraham,  and  the  father  of  Nahor  ;  aod 
thcyfervsd  othr  guit**  The  either  fide  of  the  flood  means  beyond 
tbc  river  Euphrates,  where  ihc  anccllors  of  Abraham  lived. 

Wc  arc  not  to  undcrfland,  that  they  were  whoJly  drawn  ©fT  to 
idolatry,  to  forfakc  the  true  God.  For  God  is  faid  to  be  the  Qod 
of  Nahor  :  Gen,  xxxt.  n«  '*  ''^h®  ^^^  o^  Abrahata,  and  the  God 
©f  Nshor,  the  God  ot  thsir  father,  judge  bcc^Mst  us."  But  they 
only  partook  in  fomc  mca  fure  of  the  general  and  almoft  univerfal 
corruption  of  the  times  ;  as  Solomon  was  in  a  larafurc  infe^id 
with  idolatrftus  corruption  ;  and  as  the  children  of  Ifracl  in  Egypt 
«rc  faid  to  fcrvc  other  gods,  though  yet  there  was  tbc  true  chureti 
©f  God  among  them  ;  and  as  thcfc  were  images  kept  for  a  conq- 
uerable tictrc  in  the  family  of  Jacob  ;  the  corruption  being  brou§;h| 

froojt  PAdaa*Ara»,  whcno«  he  fetched  bis  wives, 

Thip 


Ac  Work  of   R  E  1)  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  4* 

Thi«  WM  the  fecond  lime  that  the  church  wit  ilmoA  brought  to 
nothing  by  the  r.oryuption  and  general  dcft^'ion  of  the  world  from 
true  religion.  Bat  fliil  the  true  religion  vf^t  kept  up  in  the  fami- 
ly of  which  Chrir:  wai  to  proceed.  Which  ii  another  inPisnce  of 
God's  rcnsarkably  prcferving;  hii  church  in  a  ticie  of. a  general  de- 
ladgc  of  wiekcdnefs  ;  and  wherein,  alihowgh  the  |od  of  this  world 
raged,  ar.d  bad  almoft  fvrallowcd  up  God's  chuicb,  yet  God  iid 
iict  fuiFcrthe  gates  of  hell  :o  prevail  sgaini^  it, 

/ 

PART      iir. 

From    the  calling  of  Abraham  to  jMofbsJ 

I  PROCEED  now  to  (how  ho'.y  the  work  of  rede mpticn  ttrat 
Carried  on  through  the  third ptn'od o(  ihc  times  of  tht  O.d-Tcf- 
t;imcnt,  beginning  with  the  filing  of  Abraham,  and  extending  to 
Mofgf,      Here, 

1.  It  pleafcd  God  now  to  fepsra^e  thst  perfon  of  whom  *Chrift 
was  to  come,  /rem  the  reft  of  the  world,  that  bis  church  migh!  b« 
upheld  in  his  family  an<  pofteriiy  till  Cbrif^  fhould  come  ;  as  he 
dii  in  calling  Abraham  out  of  his  own  country,  and  from  his  kin- 
dred, to  gcxinto  a  diOant  country,  that  God  fliould  (how  him,  and 
bringing  him  firii^  out  of  U/  of  lh«  Chaldcei  to  Charran,  and  thea 
to  the  land  of  Canaan. 

It  was  before  obfervcd,  that  the  corruption  of  the  world  with  ido- 
latry was  now  become  general;  mankind  werealmoft  wholly  oyer- 
run  with  idolatry  :  God  therefore  faw  it  necefTary,  in  order  to  cp« 
hold  true  religion  in  the  world,  that  there  (hould  be  a  family  fc« 
parated  from  the  reft  of  the  world.  It  proved  to  be  Ihfgh  time  to 
lake  this  courfc,  Uh  tht  chuich  of  Chrift  ih-uH  whol'y  be  carried 
away  with  the  apoi^afy.  For  the  church  of  Gad  iifclf,  that  had 
been  upheld  in  the  line  of  Abrahsm's  anceftor?,  was  alreac'y  con- 
fldcrably  corrupted,  Abraham's  own  country  and  kindred  had 
moft  of  ihem  fallen  off;  and  without  fotne  extraordinary  intcrpo- 
fition  of  Providence,  in  all  likelihood,  in  a  generation  or  two  more, 
the  true  religion  in  this  line  would  hare  been  extin^.  Thcrcfor« 
.(rod  faw  it  to  be  timt  to  call  Abraham,  the  perfon  in  whofc  f«^ 
mily  he  intended  to  uphold  the  true  religion,  out  of  his  own  eoun* 
try,  and  from  his  kindred,  to  a  far  diftant  ccuntry,  that  hit  poAe* 
tity  might  there  remain  a  people  feparatc  frcKi  all  the  reft  of  the 
world  ;  that  fo  the  true  religion  might  be  ophtld  ifecre,  nhile  aaQ4 
kind  bcfides  w«re  f wallowed  up  in  Heathen ifm. 

The  land  of  the  Chaldces,  thai  Abraham  war  called  fo  go  rut  of, 
wasthec-^untry  a'oout  B>bel  ;  Bibel.  or  Babylon,  was  the  chief 
city  of  the  laad  of  Chaldea.  L'^arncd  men  fuppofe,  by  vihal  thcf 
ptthcr  ffom  fomc  of  the  moft  anient  accoUDlj  of  thhgt,  th^t  It 

£  wai 


4t  AHISTORYof 

«fii  in  thii  land  khit  idloUtry  ^rft  begin  ;  thit  Babel  ic()  CbtMex 
were  the  original  and  chief  feat  of  »hc  wroilhip  of  idols,  whence  it 
fprcid  into  other  nations.  Therefore  the  land  of  the  ChaWcar.s, 
or  ihccouatrj  of  Babyton,  is  in  fcriplure  called  the  land  cf  graven 
im^get  ;  as  you  miy  fee,  Jer.  i.  35.  together  with  ver.  38.  *•  A 
fwQcd  is  upon  the  Chaldeans,  faiiti  the  Lord,  and  upon  the  inbabi* 
tattii  of  Bibylon,  and  upon  her  princes,  and  upon  her  wife  men.— 
A  drought  it  upon  her  watcri,  and  they  (hill  be  dried  up  ;  for  it  U 
the  land  of  graven  imAgcs,  and  they  are  eiad  upon  their  idol«." 
God  calls  Abraham  out  of  this  idohtroui  country,  to  a  grejt  dif- 
taace  froto  it.  And  when  he  came  there,  he  gave  him  no  inheri- 
tance in  it,  no  not  fo  much  as  to  fet  hti  foot  on  ;  but  he  remain- 
ed a  ftrangcr  an  1  a  foj mrrier,  that  he  and  hii  family  might  be 
kept  fcp  irate  from  all  the  world. 

Tnia  vras  a  new  thing  ;  God  had  never  taken  fucb  a  method  be- 
fo  f,  Hts  church  had  not  in  this  manner  been  feparated  from  the 
reft  of  the  world  till  dqvt  ;  but  were  wont  to  d^ycH  wiih  thcm,with" 
out  any  bar  or  fence  to  keep  them  feparate  j  the  mifchicvous  con- 
fcqucnccs  of  which  had  been  found  once  and  again.  The  efiedt 
before  the  flood  ofGod'i  people  living  inrcrmiagled  with  the  wick- 
ed world.  Without  any  rcsi^arkable  wall  of  ftparalion,  was,  that 
%ut  font  of  ihe  church  j lined  in  marrisge  witb  others,  and  thereby 
almoft  all  foon  became  infc^f^cd,  and  ih«  church  was  almoft  bro'i 
to  nothing.  The  method  that  God  took  then  to  fence  the  church 
wai.  to  drown  the  wicked  world,  and  fave  the  church  in  the  ark. 
And  now  ihc  world,  before  Abraham  was  called,  was  become  cor- 
rupt ag^in.  But  now  God  took  anothef  method.  He  did  not 
dcil'oy  the  wicked  world,  and  fave  Abrahara,  and  his  wife,  and 
l..)t.  in  an  ark  ;  but  he  calls  thefe  perfons  to  go  and  live  feparatc 
from  the  reft  of  the  world. 

Tnis  was  a  new  thing,  and  ^  greil  thing,  thsl  God  did  toward 
the  work  of  reJcmption.  Thi«  thing  was  done  now  about  the 
midtlle  o'the  fpace  of  lime  between  the  fall  of  man  and  the  com- 
ing of  Ctvri'^  ;  and  ihc.c  were  about  two  tboufand  years  yet  to 
cone  before  Chi  ift  the  great  R.dcemcr  was  to  come.  But  by  this 
calling  of  Abraham,  the  anccftor  of  Chrift,  a  foundation  was  laid 
for  the  upholding  lh3*chureh  of  Chrid  in  the  world,  till  Chiift 
fhoul4  come.  For  the  world  having  ber.om^  idolatroui,  there  was 
a  neccflTity  th;*t  tne  feed  of  the  woman  ft\ould  be  thus  feparated  from 
the    idolatrous  world  in    order   to  that. 

And  then  it  was  needful  that  there  fhould  be  t  particulir  nation 
fep:*rated  from  the  reft  of  the  world,  to  receive  the  types  and  pro- 
phecies that  were  needful  to  be  given  of  Chrift,  to  prepare  the  way 
for  bis  coming  ;  that  to  them  might  be  committed  the  oracles  of 
God  i  and  (ti^tb^f  (bc«  the  bi^ory  of  God'i gttn  woiki  of  cr««. 

ti*a 


tke  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  4J 

t!pn  and  provideocs  might  be  upheld  ;  and  ihii  fo  Cbrift  might  be 
bora  of  this  nation  ;  and  that  from  hence  the  light  of  ihc   gofpcl 
might  Ihinc  forth  to  th«  reft  of  the  world.    Thcfc  endi  could  not 
well  be  obtained,  if  God's  people,  throi^gh  all  tbefc  tvro  thoufand 
yeari,  had  lived  intermixed  with  the  heathen  world,     S  j  that  ihii 
calling  of  Abraham  may  be  looked  upon  ai  a  kind  of  a  new  foun- 
dation laid  for  the  vifiblc  church  of  God,  in  a  more  diOin^  and  re- 
gular ftaie,  to  be  upheld  and  built  up  on  thii  foundation  from  hence* 
forward,  till  Chrift  Ihould  aftually  come,  and  then  through  hiai 
to  be  propagated  to  all  nations.     So  that   Abraham  being  the  ptr- 
fon  in  whom  this  foundation  is  laid,  is  lepicfenled  in  fcripiuie  u 
though  he  were  the  father  of  all  the  church,  the  father  of  all  them 
that  believe  ;  as  it  were  a  root  whence  the  vifiblc  church  thence- 
forward through  Chrift,  Abraham's  root  and  oifspring,  rofe  as  a 
tree,  diftindl  from  all  other  plants  ;  of  which  tree  Chrift   wa» 
the  branch  of  Vighteoufncfs  j  and  from  which  ircc  after  Chrift 
came,  ttie  natural  branches  were  brolren  off,   and   the  Gentilci 
were    grafted    into    the  fame    tree.      So    that    Abraham    Oill 
remaini  the  father  of  the  church,  or  root  of  the  ifcc,    through 
Chrif^  hii  fctd.     It  it  the  fame  tree  that  flourifhei  from  that  fm^ll 
begifinttig,  thit  was   in  Abraham's  time,  and  hzt  in  thefe  days  of 
the  gofpel  fpread  its  bran/:bes  over  a  great  part  of  the  earth,  ^nd 
will  fill  the  whole  earth  in  due  lime,  and  at  the  end  of  the  woild 
fin  ill  be  tranfplanied  from  an  earthly  foil  into  the  paradifc  of  God, 
II.     Th:re  accompanied  this  a  more  particuUr  and  full  i€vcUtic 
oi  and  conHrmation  of  the  covenant  of  grace  than  ever  bad  bcea 
before.     There  had  before  thii  been,  as  it  were,  two  particular  and 
foicmn  edi(ions  or  confirmationi  of  this  covenant ;  one  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  fiifl  period,  which  was  that  whereby  the  covenant 
of  grace  was  revealed  to  our  firft  parents,    foon  after  the  fall ;   the 
oihcr  at  the  beginning  of  fhe  fccond  period,  whereby  God   folctnn- 
ly  renewed  the  covenant  of  grace  with  Noah  and  bis  family   fooa' 
sfter  the  fiood  j  and  now  there  if  a  third,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
third  period,  at  and  after  the  calling  of  Abr*ham.     And  it  now  be- 
ing much  nearer  the  time  of  the  coming  of  Chrift  jhan  when  toe 
covenant  tsf  grscc  wa«  firft  revealed,  it  being,  a;  it  was  faid  before^ 
about  half  way  between  the  faU  and  the  coming  of  Chrifl,  the  rcvc^ 
lation  of  the  covenant  now  wai  much  more  full  then  any   thai   had. 
been  before.     The  covenant   was  now  more  particular!)  revealed. 
It  was  now  revealed,  not  only  that  Chrift  (hould  be  ;  but  it  was 
revealed  to  Abraham,  that  he  lliould  be  hit  feed  ;   ana  it  was  now 
promifcd,   that  all  the  families  of  the  earth  fhould  be  blrlTcd   in 
bim.     God  was  much  in  the  promifcs  of  i\is  ro  Abraham.     T^c 
fir»l  promife  was  when   he  drft  called  him,  Gen.  »i».  2.      *  A^i 
I  vill  mike  of  thee  a  great  nation,  and  I  will  b!ef«   hcc  and  o  ake 
|hj  nur.c  great ;  and  Ihou  ihallbe  j  bUffiagr  Aga  iu  the  hm'  p»p. 


44  AHlSTORYof 

mife  irii  rencved  after  he  cimc  into  the  land  of  Canatn,  ch^p.xiU 
14  &c.  Tqc  coreoanc  wa*  again  reiacvtred  after  Abrahaaa  had  re- 
turned from  the  flaughicr  of  the  kingf,  chap,  xv,  5.  6,  Again 
after  hii  offering  up  Kaac,  chap.  xxii.  16.  17.  18. 

In  tbii  fcncvral  of  the  covcaant  of  grac«  with  Abraham,  fcvcral 
particulars  concsming  that  covenant  were  rcves'.cd  morefuHy  than 
«v4r  had  been  before  ;  not  only  that  Chiift  waa  to  be  of  Abraham's 
feci,  but  alfo,  the  calling  cf  tbtGeiUilei »  and  the  bringing  all  nali» 
oru  into  the  churchy  that  alt  the  f^tnilies  of  the  earth  wtre  to  be 
blcffsd,  vra5  new  made  known.  And  then  the  great  cor.djiion  of 
the  covenant  of  grace,  which  it  faiib,  was  now  more  fully  made 
kflow^.  Gen.  xv.  5.  6.  *'  And  be  faid  uatobim.  So  Ifaall  thy 
feed  be.  And  Abraham  bc!icve»i  God,  and  it  was  counted  unio 
bimfor  rigbScoiirncfs."  Which  ia  much  taken  notice  of  in  the 
ticw  Teiiiment  aa  thai  whence  Abrahaci  wa«  calleif  the  father  of 
them  that  beilcve. 

Aj  ihexe  was  now  a  further  revclalion  of  ibc  covenant  of  grace, 
io  there  was  a  further  cotifi:maiion  of  it  by  fcala  and  pledges,  thea 
ever  had  been  bifoie  ;  a»,  particularly,  God  did  now  inf^itute  a 
certiin  facfamcutjto  be  a  ileady  fcal  of  :h'i»  covenant  in  thvC  viiible 
church,  till  Chrift  il;iould  eooic.  triz.  ciFCumciuon.  Circumcifioii 
wa»  a  fcal  of  this  covcnaot  of  grac^,  as  appears  by  the  firft  infti- 
tuiioa,  a*  we  have  an  account  oi  it  la  the  17th  cb.nptcr  of  Gcncfii. 
It  there  appears  to  be  a  fc.il  of  that  covSi»aai  by  vthichGod  prcmifei 
to  make  Abrahritn  a  faShar  of  many  nations,  as  appears  by  ihe  5lh 
verfc,  coa>pifi'd  with  ih-^  ()ih  and  lOth  verf^g.  We  xre  fxpusfly 
taught,  Jhii  it  vrat  a  feal  of  :hc  righteoufccfs  cffahh, Rooi.  4.  11. 
Speaking  of  Abraham,  the  apovile  fays,  **  he  received  the  fign  of 
circumcifjovi,  a  fcal  of  the  righteoufncfs  of  fassh." 

As  i  obftrved  before,  God  caikd  Abrahamj  that  hit  family  and 
pofteri'.y  might  be  kept  fcpsratc  from  the  reft  of  the  world,  till 
Chrift  fhoul'j  comi,  which  God  faw  to.bc  necelfary  on  the  fore- 
mentioned  accounts.  And  thi«  facrament  was  the  principal  walj 
of  feparadun  ;  it  chiefly  difiingUiHicd  Abraham's  feed  fi'om  the 
world,  and  kept  up  a  dii^iriclioa  and  feparatloa  more  ihaa  anjt 
Other  particular  obfctvancc   whatfover. 

Befidcs  thi^  there  weic  oiher  occifional  fealt,  p'sdgea,  and  -^^n*' 
firmatioas,  thai  Abraham  had  of  llils  covenant  ;  as,  particdas'ly, 
God  gave  Abraham  a  remarkable  pledge  pf  the  fuJfilmeoa  of  the 
promifc  he  had  mads  bias,  in  bii  vltiafy  over  Cfaedorlaomcr  and 
the  kings  that  were  wish  him,  ChedorSaomer  fecmi  to  have  bee» 
a  great  emperor,  that  reigned  over  a  great  part  of  the  world  at  that 
day  ;  and  though  he  h^d  hii  feat  at  E'am.  which  waa  riot  m«'ch  if 
•nv  thing  ftujrt  of  a  thouftnd  miU»  dlf^aui  from  the  land  of  C^r^^an, 
Seethe  ex-ended  hh  empire  fo  ai  ro  reign  over  m^ny  prrf  of  ib« 
kad  cfCsapn,  iJ  appf an  bycb'F^'siv   4  5  ^    7*    1- ^*/"?* 


the  Wotk  of   R  £  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  45 

pofcd  by  learned  men,  that  he  wa«  a  king  of  the  AfCyrhn  etnpite 
flt  ttU»t  djiy,  wiisch  had  been  before  begun  by  Nimrod  si  B.bcl.  A« 
it  wii  the  honor  ol  king*  in  ihok*  days  to  buil  J  new  caici  to  be 
m*dc?he  fcsi  of  thcJr  caipirc,  m  z\-)^czti  by  G<:ti.  x.  10.  11.  12.; 
fo  it  i»  conjciiijrtd,  that  be  had  gene  forth  and  buili  him  a  ciiy  fa 
EUm,  and  m«de  that  h'M  feat  ;  and  th»t  thofc  olhcr  kingi,  who 
C&me  with  him,  were  his  dt'putlei  in  the  feveril  cities  and  counirict 
"fvLerc  ihey  reigned.  But  yet  a«  mtghty  an  cuipite  at  fee  had,  and 
Sf  gie«i  sn  army  aa  he  now  cime  with  into  the  land  vrhcre  Abraham 
was,  yet  Abrxbsm,  onliy  with  hi»  trained  fcrvJints,  that  vrcre  bora 
in  hii  own  boufe,  conquered,  fubdued,  and  balTlsd  ihis  mighty 
•mneror,  and  the  kingi  that  came  with  him,  and  all  their  arniy. 
This  he  received  of  Gad  as  a  pledge  of  what  he  had  prcmifed,  viz. 
The  vidory  that  Chrii^  his  feed  fiiould  cbisin  over  the  nations  o£ 
the  earth,  whereby  he  fiiould  polTefs  the  gjitci  of  hii  enemies.  It 
Is  plainly  fpokcc  cf  at  fucU  ia  the  ^.i^  of  Ifaiah.  In  ihtt  cbspifer 
is  foretold  jhc  future  glorious  viftory  the  church  (VtU  obtain  cv<.r 
ihe  nations  of  the  vrorld  ;•<$  you  rnsy  fee  in  the  i  ft,  loth,  and  i^xh 
▼Cffcs,  tic.  Bui  here  thit  vidory  of  Abraham  over  fuch  a  great 
emperor  aad  hli  rairghty  forces,  i«  fpcken  of  as  a  pledge  and  carntit 
of  this  viftory  of  the  chufch,  ss  you  aaay  fc«  In  2d  and  3d  verfes. 
•*  Who  raifcd  up  the  righteous  ttian  from  the  cafr,  called  him  to 
fciifcot,  gave  the  nations  before  him,indraidc  him  rule  over  kings  ? 
H3  gave  them  as  the  duft  to  his  f.vorJ,  aad  as  driven  flubblc  to  hii 
bo-*'.  He  purfucd  them,  and  polled  fxfcly  ;  even  by  the  way  that 
be  had  not  gone  >yiih  his  feet/' 

Another  remarkable  confstmation  Abraham  received  of  the  ccx'c- 
atntcf  grace,  nas  when  he  returned  from  the  flaughtcr  of  the  kit?gt; 
i^'hersMJchifedcc  the  kiog  of  SaUm  he  the  prieA  of  thtMcrt  High 
God,  that  great  type  of  Chrift,  met  him,  and  bleded  him,  and 
bicu^ht  forth  bread  ;ind  wine.  The  bread  iiud  wine  fignified  ihc 
Uait  bttfHngs  of  the  co"v«BftM  of  grace,  thii  ihe  bread  and  *vinc 
do£R  !ri  the  ficramcni  of  the  Lord't  fuppcr.  So  that  es  Abrahsna 
bad  i -•^-«*c  cf  the  co/cnant  in  circumciiion  that  Vfk*  cquivaJent  to 
fa^ptifm,  fo  riow  be  h^d  a  ic;'i  of  it  tquivalcni  to  ihc  Lord'*  A  pper. 
Mcichifedee'j  coming  to  mteuhffn  with  fixb  a  fcsl  of  ihe  covenant 
of  grace,  on  the  occifioa  cf  this  victory  of  his  over  the  ki«g»  oi 
the  north,  confirmt,  that  the  ^i(frory  vyai  a  pUdgs  of  God's  fulhl- 
m«n:  of  tne  f»rae  covenant  ;  for  ihi>K  is  the  mercy  that  ?4clchifcdcc 
with  his  bread  and  wine  takes  nciic^  of  ;  as  jou  may  fee  by 
wiiat  he  fays   in  Geo.  xiv,   19.  20. 

Another  ccr.firmation  th»t  God  gave  Aibrzhsin  of  the  covenant 
cf  g^^ce,  W28  ih:  vifioo  that  he  had  in  the  d<cp  flrcp  thai  fell  upcia 
him,  cf  the  fmoking  furnace,  and  burni'-g  lamp,  that  puffed  he- 
Jiweca  ihepariiofthc   f&aifitfe,  a«  ia  the  latter  p3«  of  ihe  ijsh 

cbapiwr. 


46  AHISTORYof 

chapter  of  Gcnefii.  The  fasrifi  .c,  asal!  facrifi«i  do,  fi^nifed  »h« 
facrificc  of  Chriftt  Tnc  fraoking  iiirnacc  that  pa  fled  throu^ti  .he 
m'ldCt  of  th^t  f/crificc  fir^,  fgnified  thr  f'.ffiriLgs  o*  Chrif^.  But 
«hc  burning  lamp  ihat  followed,  which  iTjoiiC  witfe  a  clear  bright 
light,  (ignifies  the  glory  th«t  foUo^vcd  Chrift's  fuiiifhigs,  and  wa« 
pjocurt  i  oy  ih«tn. 

Another  icmarkable  pJsdg^e  th?it  God  gave  Abraham  of  the  lul- 
fi  mcnt  of  the  covcnrini  ct  grace,  wia  hia  giving  ol  il>c  child  of 
whom  Catiii  wss  to  come,  in  bii  old  a^e  This  is  fpoken  of  at 
fuch  in  Icfipture  ;  H<.b,  xi.  !  4.  jz.  and  alfo  Roan.  iv.  18.  &c. 

Again,  anoihtr  rcmajkabk  pledge  that  God  gtivc  Abraham  of 
the  fu'fimcnt  of  the  covenant  of  grice,  was  his  dcliveiirg  Ifaac, 
after  he  wa»  laid  upon  the  wood  of  the  facriticc  ro  be  flain.  Thit 
was  a  confi<tx)«uoa  of  Abrabacn's  faith  iu  the  pro mife  that  God 
had  maJc  of  Cbri^,  that  he  tfcould  be  of  Il'aac'i  poftcriiy  ;  and  wa» 
a  reprcfcntavion  of  tha  rcfuric^tion  of  Chrijl ;  ai  you  mny  iec,Heb» 
xi.  17.  18.  19"  Anu  bfccaufc  this  was  given  as  a  confirmation  of 
the  covsnafii  of  grace,  therefore  God  leoewcd  fhit  covenant  with 
Aorvh  m  on  this occafioc,  as  you  may  fee,  Gen.  xxiv,  15*  &c. 

Thu»  yow  fee  h<iw  much  mors  fully  the  covenant  of  grace  wat 
revpaled  and  confirmed  in  Abraham's  time  than  ever  it  had  bees, 
before  ;  by  o^cacJ  of  which  Abrah?ro  fcemi  to  have  had  a  more 
clear  urdciftandirgatid  light  oi  Cbrift  the  great  Redeemer,  and  the 
future  thing*  that  were  lo  be  a;;cofnp)irt)cd  by  him,  than  any  of  the 
faint!  thiil  had  goae  bi-^forc.  Ir.cicforc  Chri'^  takej  notice  of  it, 
that.  Abraham  rejoiced  to  icQ  th  Jay,  and  he  irw  k  and  wat  glad, 
J  )hu  viii.  56  So  gfeai  an  ^idv^nccdid  it  pIcafcGodnoN'?'  to  m%kc  in 
tbi»  building,  whicti  h<i  hid  beca  carrying  on  Trom  the  beginning 
of  the  woiiJ. 

HI.  The  next  thing  <bat  1  would  take  notice  of  here,  is  Qod't 
prefcfvirg  »he  patti^rchs  for  fo  lorg  a  time  in  ihc  midfiof  ihc 
wicked  inh  .biiar.ii  of  Canaan,  and  trom  all  oiher  enemies.  Th^ 
patiiarcM  Abraham,  lf«sc,  and  Jacob,  v» ere  ihofc  of  whom  Chrift 
was  to  proceed  ;  *utl  xhty  rcienow  icpuatcd  frcai  the  world,  ibx% 
in  ihcmh  IS  thujfij  nJ^ai  be  i-.phcld,  TMc>t:forc,in  prefervingthem, 
the  great  d';r'^;n  of  r.dtn^iion  wss  upheld  snd  canried  on,  H€ 
p-r.fcrvcd  ihrtai,  ill  J  V.tpt  iht  Jnh  J)iti(;is  of  the  land  where  ihry  fo« 
j  jurncd  'rom  dcf^joj  injj  thcra  ;  which  wa»  a  rcmaik  ib2e  difptwfa- 
lion  of  providence.  For  the  inb:.  bitanti  ot  the  land  were  at  that 
iJay  exceeding  witkcd»  though  ihcy  grcv»^  mo^e  wicked  afierwardf* 
T»i»  ^prca<»  by  Gen.  XV.  i^-.  5<^  In  the  four;h  gcneraiicn  they 
ftj.lS  cctYxt  x\Abcr  3g3!a  ,  fo*  be  iniquity  of  the  Can^anitc*  is  not 
yet  tu't  :"  A*mucb  a*  »c -fiv,  Thou^jv  it  V-cvcrv  gre*t,  yd  it  it 
rot  vif!  Ui!l.  T;  ci?  great  wicxedncf.*  a'fo  sj.  p<?r6  by  A*n"hir.m  sr\i 
LA*c*fc  *vfirr]»>n  to  mcii  child.ca  mtrr^ing  any  of  m  .:  .u^a?c'i  of 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  47 

the  land.  Abraham,  when  he  wai  oIJ,  could  net  be  content  till 
he  bad  n^de  Iim  fi^ivaut  fwe«i  ihst  be  would  not  lake  at  wife  tor  hit 
fon  of  the  daughter*  of  t'le  J*nd.  Aod  If.^^c  and  Rcbtcca  vtcic 
content  to  fend  away  J  cob  to  fo  great  a  dif^ance  ai  Padan  Aram, 
to  take  hfoa  a  wife  thence.  And  wben  Efiu  married  feme  of  the 
dauj(btcrt  of  the  land^  we  are  told,  that  tbey  were  a  grief  of  miod 
to  lfk4cand  Rebecca* 

Another  argument  of  their  great  wickcdncfi,  h  the  Inflancc  ^e 
have  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  Af'uiah  and  Z  boiai,  which  wert 
f)ine  of  the  cities  of  Caoaan  ihougU  they  wcte  piobably  di(\tQ- 
guiihingty    wicked. 

They  being  thui  wicked,  were  liktly  to  have  the  «noi>  bitter  eft- 
inity  tfairA  thefeholy  men  :  agrccihic  to  what  wai  declared  al 
fifft,  **  I  will  put  e-jcnity  between  ihec  and  the  womarj,  and  be- 
tween thy  feed  rtod  her  feed,"  Theii  holy  lives  were  a  coaiinual 
condemnation  of  "heir  wickeJncA,  Bcfifcs,  it  cculd  not  be  olher- 
wifsp  but  that  they  muR  be  touch  ii>  tcproving  their  wickednefi* 
11  we  fi.id  Lot  wai  in  Sudom  ;  «h  1,  we  are  told,  v^x^4  hli  right* 
coui  foul  with  their  unlawful  deeds,  aod  wai  a  pieaeher  of  right- 
coufncfi  to  them. 

They  were  the  moreexpofed  to  thrm,  being  Grangers  and  fcjour- 
nert  in  the  land,  and  having  no  inheiitaace  the:e  as^ret.  Men 
are  more  apt  to  find  fault  with  Grangers,  sad  be  irritated  by  any 
thing  in  them  that  cifendt  them,  ai  they  were  with  Lot  in  Sodom* 
He  very  gently  reproved  their  wickednefi  ;  and  they  fay  upon  it, 
<*  Thii  fellow  came  in  to  fcjourn,  and  he  will  necdi  be  a  ruler  aud 
a  judge  ;"   and  the^tened  what  they  *ould  d    to  him. 

But  Gjd  wonderfully  piefervci  \brshim  ^nd  Lot,  Ifaac  and 
Jicob,  and  their  f^militi,  among/tthem,  though  they  were  few  in 
number,  and  they  might  quickly  have  def^royeJ  them  ;  which  if 
taken  notice  of  aia  wonderful  io^^anee  oi  Gjfi't  prefeiving  mercy 
towards  bit  church,  Pfal.  cv.  12.  &g.  •*  When  they  were  but  few 
men  in  number  ;  yea,  very  few,  and  ftr  ngeri  m  it.  When  they 
went  from  one  nation  to  another,  from  one  kingdcm  to  another 
people.  He  fuffred  no  man  to  do  them  wrong  ;  yea,  Ke  reproved 
kings  for  their  fakes,  faying, Touch  not  mi&e  anointed,  and  do  my 
prophets  no  harm." 

This  prefervatioQ  was  in  fome  inftan<res  efpacially  very  remark* 
able  ;  tbofe  inf^ances  that  we  have  an  account  of,  wherein  the  peo* 
pie  of  the  land  were  greatly  irritated  and  pri  voked  ;  as  they  were 
by  Simeon  and  Levi's  treatment  of  the  Shechemiies,  as  you  may 
fee  in  Gen.  xxxiv,  30.  ficc.  Gad  then  ftr;<:  gel v  prefer ved  J. cob 
and  his  family,  reAraining  the  prov<-k'H  renp'e  by  an  urufual  ter- 
ror on  their  minds,  ai  you  m^y  fee  in  G  1.  xxxv.  ^  *<  And  the 
terror  of  G^d  was  upon  the  cities  th^r  wnre  round  about  them,  and 
tbcj  did  aot  putfuc  after  the  foot  of  J«ccb.''  Qo^'§ 


48  AHISTORYcf 

God's  prcfcrvirg  them,  not  only  from  ihe  Cansinhej,  is  here 
Jo  be  taken  notice  of,  bui  bis  prcfervJcg  thtm  from  all  oibcri  ihal 
intended  mifchitf  lo  ihtm  ;  m  his  p?c/«fviog  J^cob  sirxd  his  com- 
pany,when  purfued  byL?.ban,  full  of  fagr,j>ndsclJfpo(!Jion  to  over- 
take him  ai  an  enemy  :  God  mci  hicn,  asd  rebuked  h^j»  and  Jaid 
<o  him,  "  Tike  heed  thai  thou  fpcak  not  lo  J^.r.ob  chhcf  good  or 
bad."  How  wonderfully  did  be  a!fo  pjcfenrc  him  from  Efju  hit 
brciher,  when  he  came  forth  wilh  an  a"my,  with  «  full  <iefign  M 
cut  hifT.  off  }  how  did  God  in  anCwcr  to  hi*  prayer,  when  he  wrcft' 
Ud  wilh  Child  At  PsnucI,  wondcrfally  Jurn  Efau'shjsn,  and  make 
hicn,  iuftead  of  mectioghim  48  2tt  cn-my  with  (laughter  and  de- 
iliu<fi:Ion,  to  meet  hina  as  a  friend  acd  brother,  doing  hit?»  no  harm  I 
Thia  were  this  hand fi:!,  ihii  litderoo!  that  bad  the  bUfnng  of 
the  Ridccm^r  in  it,  prcferved  in  ths  mid't  of  c»cmie«  a.nd  dangers, 
whieh  wat  not  un^like  to  the  prefervlcg  the  ark  is  the  midft  of  the 
tccapef?uoui  deluge, 

IV.  The  ntxx  thim^  I  woiM  mention  is,  I'ne  awftjl  dc{inj<f\Ion  of 
Sodocn  and  Gjono/iah,  and  she  n:IghboU'ing  ciiiei,  Thii  tended 
to  prcmoJ«t  the  great  dcilgn  and  work  that  i»  the  fubjeft  of  noy  pre- 
fcnt  undertaking,  two  vray?.  It  did  fo,  as  it  tended  powerfully  to 
retrain  the  inhabitants  of  the  Uni  frosa  injuring  ihofc  holy  f.rsn- 
gers  that  G^d  hadbrou2ht  to  fujourn  amcngfl  them.  Lot  waj  one 
of  tbofe  ftrangcrs  ;  he  came  into  the  land  with  Abrsham  ;  and 
Sodom  w?5  dcilroyed  for  their  sbufivC  difrcgard  of  Lotjthe  preach- 
er ot  rJghteotjfncfj,  that  Gcd  had  fent  arcong  thftn.  And  thcif 
deftru^ion  CiiGi:  jufl  upon  their  committirg  a  mcft  irju^ious  and 
abomtnJible  infuU  on  Lot,  and  she  flrangcrjs  that  were  cocr.e  into  hit 
fc  >ufc,  evcnthofc  angcb,  who:n  they  prcbably  took  to  be  feme  cf 
Loi'a  form-r  acq.nintan^c  come  from  the  country  that  he  csme 
from,  to  x'lfiz  him.  They  - :  a  moft  outrageous  manner  befciLot'i 
fcoufi,  initndinjj  a  monftrcrn  abufe  and  aft  of  violence  on  thofe 
ftrangrrs  tnat  were  coaje  thither,  aiid  threatening  to  fcrye  Lot 
wovfe  i:,in  the»n, 

Butin  the  midA  of  ihii  God  ftfiote  them  with  blin^Jnfifs ;  and 
the  next  morniug  the  city  and  the  country  about  it  wat  overlhrowa 
in  a  mo<t  terrible  ftorco  ol  fi.'c  and  brimi^onc  ;  which  dreadful  dc- 
f^ru'-^ion,  ^%  it  wa>  ir»  iht:  Ctghi  ®i  the  ro'k  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
land,  therefore  j^reat I y  tended  lo  ref^rain  them  from  hurling  thofc 
fcoly  ftrangfrs  any  more  ;  doubflef*  f^rock  a  dread  and  terror  on 
theif  minds,  and  mads  them  afraid  to  hurt  ihcm,  and  probably 
wai  one  principal  meani  to  rtlVain  them,  and  prcfcrve  the  patri- 
arch*. And  when  th^t  rcsfon  it  gi^cn  *hy  the  inhabitantf  of  the 
Ifind  did  '^-i  purfuc  after  Jacob,  when  they  were  fo  provoked  by 
?hc  defru.^'on  o?  the  Sh^rh^aiJttJ,  v?z.  *•  that  the  terror  of  ihe 
JLord  was  upon  thcaa.'*  h  w  very  probafclc,  that  this  wii  a  twrc^ 

•«hai 


the  Work  of    R  E  1)  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  49 

that  wai  fct  heme  upon  ibem.  They  yemewbcrcd  the  steniing  it- 
rtruftion  of  Sodom,  ar.d  the  eiucs  of  the  fliin,  that  came  upon 
them,  upon  ihcir  iibulive  ircatmcni  of  Lol,  and  fo  durfl  not  hurl 
Jficob  and  hit  hmiVy,  ihou^h  ibey  were  fo  much  provoked  to  it. 

Another  way  ihit  ihii  awful  dcflrudion  tended  to  promote  thif 
gccat  alTair  of  rcdeaipiion,  was,  ihat  hereby  God  did  remarkably 
csLiiibii  chc  terror!  ot  ibis  law,  to  make  men  fenfiblc  of  their  need 
ot  rcdeetoirtg  mercy.  The  work  ol  redemption  never  wai  carried 
ca  without  this.  The  law,  froai  the  beginning,  ii  made  ufe  of  as 
t  fchooI-Gnafter  to  bring  men  toChrift. 

Bui  undtr  the  Old  Tcftamcnt  there  wa»  much  iftorc  need  of  fome 
cxlraordjnary,  vifible,  and  fenublc  manifcftation  of  God'i  wrash 
a^ainft  fin,  than  in  the  days  of  the  gofpcl  ;  iincc  a  future  flate,  and 
the  ctcrnai  mifery  of  hell,  is  mors  dearly  revealed,  led  fincc  the 
aivfui  juAice  qI  God  zg%'inh  the  dnt  of  men  hat  been  fo  wonderful* 
ly  dtfpiaycd  iu  the  futTeringa  of  Chjift.  Therefore  the  revelation 
that  God  gave  of  hiis^fdf  in  thofe  days,  ufcd  to  be  accompa&icd 
with  much  more  terror  than  it  ii  in  ihefe  day*  of  the  gofpel.  So 
when  God  appeared  at  Mount  Sinai  to  give  the  law,  it  wai  with 
thuadcrs  2nd  lightningFj  and  a  thick  cloud,  and  the  voice  of  tit 
trumpet  es^cesdin*^  loud .  JBut  fome  externa!^  awful  manifcftatisni 
•f  God°i  wrath  againfl  (In  were  on  fome  account!  efpccially  necef- 
fary  before  the  giving  of  the  law  ;  and  therefore,  before  the  flood, 
the  terror!  of  the  law  handed  down  by  tradition  fromAdam  fervcd* 
Adam  lived  nine  hundred  and  thirty  years  birafclf,  to  idl  tho 
eburch  of  God'i  awful  threatening!  denounced  in  the  covenant 
made  with  birr., and  how  dreadful  the  confequencc!  of  the  fall  vrcre^ 
at  he  was  an  cye-witnefi  and  fubjed  ;  and  others,  that  coaverfcd 
with  Adam,  lived  till  ihc  flood.  And  the  dcftsudicn  of  the  wor^d 
ky  the  flood  fcrved  to  exhibit  the  terror!  of  the  hw,  and  manifeft 
the  wrath  ofGed  againfl  fin  ;  and  fo  to  make  men  fecfrble  of  the 
abfolute  neccHity  cf  redeeming  mercy.  And  fonc  that  faw  ihfi 
fiood  were  alive  in  Abraham'!  time* 

But  thia  ;vai  now  in  a  great  mcafure  forgotten  ;  now  therefore 
God  was  plesfed  again,  in  a  moft  araadng  manner  to  fiiow  hi« 
wrath  againO  i\o,  in  the  dcfrruflion  of  thefc  ciziei ;  which  vra!  af!er 
fucla  a  manner  ai  to  be  the  Hvelief^  iraagc  of  hell  cf  any  thing  that 
ever  had  been  ;  and  therefore  the  apofile  Judc  fsyi,  *'  They  fuffet 
the  vengeance  of  etcroal  fir«,"  Jude  7.,  God  rained  ftorms  of  fire 
and  brimftone  upon  ihc»n.  The  vi^ay  that  they  vyerc  dcftroycd  pro- 
bably wai  by  thhk  fiaf-/^!  of  lightning.  The  i^rcam^  of  brimftont 
were  fo  thick  ai  to  burn  up  tli  thefe  cities ;  fo  that  rhey  perilled  ia 
the  flames  of  divine  wrath.  By  thit  mijht  be  fccn  the  dreadful 
wrath  of  God  agtinA  the  ungodlincfi  acd  uafightcoufncfi  cf  mtn  5 
•rh\th  tended  to  (V\ow  men  tbc  ficcefl:ty  cf  rcdcisplion,  and  fo  t« 


jd  AHISTORYo! 

V.  Gd^  sga'ft  renewed  and  confirmed  ihc  covenant  of  gTace  i?o 
}{>'*'■.  anfl  to  Ja*ob.  H<  diJ  fa  t6  Ifaic,  «t  you  m?y  fee,  Gen, 
xxvi  3.  4.  "  A  1^1  I  will  prrform  the  oath  which  I  fwiir«  unio 
Abr;jhsm  thy  fithcr  ;  and  1  will  male  ?hy  feed  to  muhiply  ai  iht 
ftars  ot  he;tvcn,  and  wi»l  give  untu  thy  feed  a?J  thcfe  countries  ; 
ani  in  Jhy  feed  Ifcall  all  the  nationi  of  the  earth  be  bh  fftd."  Attcr- 
wardi  it  wai  renewed  ^rui  cor,fi;med  to  Jvcob  ;  fiift  in  lf<ac'»  bJcf- 
fing  of  him,  i*hercin  he  a('t«<i  and  fpokc  by  cxiraoidinary  divine 
diredion.  In  that  blcffing,  the  bIcfTingi  of  the  covcoanl  of  grace 
were  tfr  ♦bliH^ed  withjacob  and  hi»  f^cd  ;  ti  Gen.  xxvii.  %<),  **  Lci 
p>«'^p'c  ferve  thet,  and  n«tioni  bow  down  to  thee  ;  be  lord  oYcr  thy 
brethren,  and  let  thy  mothei's  fons  bow  down  to  thee  :  Corftd 
b':  every  one  »hai  curfcrh  thee,  snd  blclTcd  be  he  thai  blcifcth 
thee."  rhireforc  E.f»u,  in  mi/ilng  of  this  b'ciTir^*  mi/Ted  of  being 
blffifcdf  at  an  heir  of  the  bcnct5ti  0/  ihe  covenant  of  grace. 

Tnii  covenant  W4i  again  renewed  and  confirmed  lo  Jacob  st 
Fttfnel,  in  hii  vifion  of  i\.c  hAdtr  that  rtsched  to  teatefe  ;  wbicli 
hidtt  wai  a  fymbol  of  the  way  of  falvriion  by  Chtif>.  For  ih« 
ftoRt  tbas  Jacob  refltd  on  waj  a  tye  of  Chrift,  the  ftonc  of  Ifrael, 
v/hicb  the  fpiiitusl  Hrad  or  Jacob  icAs  upon  ;  ai  ii  ci-ident,bcc«wfe 
fihii  non«  wai  on  this  occahon  anointed,  and  was  xnzde  ufc  of  as  sn 
iltcr.  Bui  «rc  kaaw  that  ChriA  it  the  ai^ciated  of  Ood,  snd  ii  ih« 
cnly  true  altar  of  God.  Whllejacob  waa  rcftin^  on  ihii  ftche,  and 
faw  this  ladder,  God  appears  to  him  at  bis  covenant  God,  and  re, 
ncvri  the  covcnacl  of  grace  with  him  ;  at  inGen,  xxviii.  14.  "Aad 
ghy  (t^d  ih-ill  be  si  ihs  du!*^  of  the  txnh  ;  and  ih«u  t)>alt  fpread  abroad 
to  the  weft,  and  to  the  ca^,  and  to  the  noah,  and  to  »he  fouth  ;  acd 
in  ihe«  and  in  ihy  ftcd  fi^jiil  all  tV^e  famUlei  of  the  earth  be  blciftd." 

Jicobhii  inJthrr  rcsna  kable  confifmaticm  of  thli  covenant  al 
Pcaud,  where  he  wrcdacJ  withGod,  snd  prevailed;  whcreChrfft  ap- 
pear«1  to  him  in  a  hum«n  forui,  in  the  form  of  ihat  nature  which  he 
wai  after  wardi  to  receive  Uto  a  pcrfi-nal  anion  with  his  divine  siture* 

G0I  rc'\9JV9A  hiicovcruR*  withhi>ti  Jjiin,  after  he  wras  come 
«ut  of  Paian-aram,  and  was  come  up  to  DetheJ,  to  the  fionc  tha: 
he  bad  reded  on.  ':»ad  where  he  had  the  vifioa  of  ibc  ladder  ;  a» 
you  m'v  fceinOir^    xixv.  10    &c. 

Th««  thf  covcaaiit  cf  grace  'rai  no^w  often  renewed,  much  oftenct 
ihar.  !t  hai  been  befo-.c.  The  lifht  of  the  gofpti  now  began  to  Hiins 
•»«ch  b'i^htcr,  a-,  thi  timt  draw  mesrer  ihtit  ChriA  fhould  come. 

VI  The  ntxK  thing  1  would  obfervs,  i»  God's  ren»arkably  ^rc 
fcrving  tha  f»fxiily  of  which  Chrif^  w^  to  proceed  from  periajicj 
by  faaa'r\t,  by  the  inftrun^nt-^^'ty  of  Jofcph.  When  there  was  « 
fcVen-y^urs  famine  .'ooroichiug,  God  was  pleafed,  by.a  wonderful 
f)rovidenoe,  to  UM  Jofeph  ip^o  Ei?yp^  'here  to  provide  for,  and 
feed  Jacob  and  hii  family,  and  to  keep  the  holy  feed  alive,  which 
oihat wiff  weald  hav*  pcrlibed.    Jofcph  was  ftal  ini^  EgyP^  ^^. 


tfce  Work  ©r    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N,  H 

thit  tnd,  aihc  obfcrrci,  Gen.  I.  20.  **  Bat  ai  for  you,  ye  ibought 
cvii  againft  me ;  but  G  >d  meant  it  unto  good,  to  favc  much  pcopU 
aliv2."  How  oficB  had  thi»  holy  root,  that  hid  ihe  fusurc  bitnch 
of  rlghtcoufntff,  the  glo;iout  Rtdccrncr,  in  i  ,  bctn  in  danger  of 
being  dcftroycd  1    8ut  God  K^.r>dt^fully  prtfcivtd  it. 

Tnij  falvaiion  of  the  hoafis  of  Ifr;»cl  by  the  hxnd  o'  J  )f<".ph,  was 
t!pon  fotnc  accounts  very  much  a  rei'tmohnce  of  the  falration  of 
Cbfift.  The  children  of  Hfscl  were  f^vcd  by  Jofcph  ikeir  kinfman 
and  brother,  from  pcrilbing  by  faminre  ;  ss  he  that  fivo  the  fouli 
of  tbe  fpiriiual  IfracI  (roaa,  rpirifu'  fjcnine  it  ihtir  near  kinfiaaB, 
and  one  that  is  not  aftiamcd  to  call  them  brtthrea.  Jofcph  wai  a 
brother,  that  they  b&d  h.tcd,  and  fJd,  and  as  it  were  killed  ;  fpf 
ihcy  barf  dcfigncd  to  kill  hina,  So  Chri^i  h  one  that  we  naiurally 
hate,  and,  by  cur  wicked  tivci,  h^vc  fold  for  the  vavn  thingi  gf 
the  world,  atid  thae  by  cur  fina  we  have  fidn  Jofeph  wai  ti.fi  i^ 
a  ftate  of  humiliation  i  he  waa  a  fo  rant,  as  Chrid  appeared  in  the 
fofin  of  a  fcrvant  ;  and  then  was  cafi;  into  a  dw  gcon,  as  Cb;if^ 
^tfccnded  into  thcgr^v: ;  and  then  when  herofc  out  of  the  dof5gco»n 
fee  was  \n  a  f\  ^ic  of  great  cxiUaJan,  at  tne  ki  .g'«  right  h^nd  as  bij 
deputy,  to  fciga  over  all  his  kingrlonn,  to  prcrida  food,  to  prefc»vc 
life  ;  and  being  in  this  ft&le  c«  txais«»3on,  he  di^pn  fea  toi  d  to 
bit  Ijrcthren,  and  fo  gives  tbctn  life  ;  as  Chrift  was  tKalicd  at  God's 
tight  band  to  be  a  prince  and  fdiviour  to  his  brethren,  ^rad  received 
£;tfti  for  men,  evcQ  fc^r  the  rcbelUousi  sod  them  that  l*ited«  ar^tj 
bad  fold  him. 

VII.  After  this  ifecrc  was  a  prophecy  given  forth  of  Chrift,  on 
fome  accounts, more  parr^culir  thin  ever  snyhid  been  before,  even 
that  which  was  in  j^cob'sb^eflJ^2  his  fon  Judih,  This  was  oicrs 
pirticuUr  than  ever  any  had  been  before, as  it  Ihowed  of  wnofe  pof- 
tcrity  he  wss  to  be  When  God  called  Ab^ah^oj,  it  v^m  reveal- 
Cd  that  he  was  to  be  of  Abrahaara's  poficriJy.  Ei^ote,  wz  b«ve  no 
account  of  any  revcUuon  coneernirgChrik'i  Pcigct  ccniS  e-  to 
narrower  liffiils  than  the  por^crity  of  Nouh  :  i'tu  ibli  it  was  ccn^ 
ftacd  to  ft  ill  narrower  lianits  ;  for  though  Abr^bm  bad  Wrihy 
font,  yet  it  was  revealed,  that  Chrift  was  lo  bt  of  Ifaac's  pcftciiiy. 
And  thea  it  wai  limited  oiore  fi.Il  ;  for  when  lfa<^c  had  two  »<.:if 
it  was  revealed  that  Chrif^  w^stobcof  irrsci'is  pofttritv,  A  d 
BOW  though  Ifrael  had  twelve  fons,  y«t  it  is  revealed  hut  Chr-ft 
.Aiould  be  of  Judah's  Pof^crity  :  Cbrift  is  ibe  lion  of  il.c  tribe  of 
Judah.  Refpc^  is  chiefly  had  to  h"*-  grcst  iCit,  when  it  ii  f.^4 
tcrc,  Gen.  slix.  8-  *•  Judah)  thou  an  be  whooo  tby  brethren  .ft^'I 
|)raife  ;  thy  hand  Haali  be  in  the  neck  of  tbine  cncn^ict  ;  thy  f.thr-*» 
children  fti»Il  bow  down  before  thee.  Jitdshisa  lirn'*  vhc'p  | 
from  the  prey,  aiy  fon,  thou  arc  gone  up  ;  he  Aocpe-'  donr,  b< 
;<^^«^ci  41  a  iioa,  aa^  ac  aa  Qld  iloa  ;  wa^  ihtU  ii#*i«  ititn  <  p  I'l 


ft  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

An't  t^en  t' IS  prt(3iction  if  roore  particu^at  concerning  the  time  •  f 
ChriiVs  coaling,  than  any  hsd  been  before  .*  as  invcrf.  lo.  **  Th« 
fceptcr  (hall  not  depart  from  Judah,  nor  a  lawgiver  frooo  between 
b»9  fcci.unlili  SKiloh  come  j  and  unSo  hiin  fhall  «bc  gathcrsngof  the 
people  be."  The  prophftcy  here,  of  the  calH;)g  of  thcGcntilci  confe- 
qucnjonChrifi'i  coa-iing/cems  lo  be  move  plain  than  any  had  bcca 
before,  in  the  cxprcflion,  to  hhn  Jhall  the  gathering  cf  the  people  bt, 
Thui  you  fee  hovr  lh*t  gofpci-iight  which  dawned  ioBmcdiatcIy 
after  the  fall  of  min,  grsdually  incrcafct. 

VIII,  The  work  of 'redemption  was  carried  on  in  thti  period, ja 
O  'd'l  vronderfully  preferving  the  children  of  Ifrjscl  in  Egypt, when 
the  power  of  Egypt  was  cngartd  utterly  to  dcDroy  them  They 
fecacd  to  be  wholly  ia  the  hands  of  the  Egypliahs ;  they  were  their 
itt^xnxt,  and  weic  fuhjcft  to  the  power  o^  Pharcah  :  and  Phsroah 
let  hicnfelf  to  weaken  them  with  hard  boadapc.  And' whin  he  favr 
that  did  not  do,  he  feihimfclf  to  crtirpstc  tS«  race  of  them,  by 
comnnanding  that  et'cry  m-.ile  child  (hould  be  drowned.  But  after 
^llbai  Pnaraoh  could  do,  God  wcndtrfJiy  prefcrvcd  tbccn  ;  and 
not  only  fo,  but  incre^fcd  thsru  exceedingly  ;  fo  that  iaflead  6f 
bt'iog  cztirpat^d^  they  greatly  muIvjpHcd^ 

IX.  Here  is  to  be  obferved,  not  only  tha prefer, -i^tioii  of  thcsa- 
tion,  bu;  God's  wonderfully  prcfcrving  and  upholding  bis  vifibit 
church  in  th^l  nation,  when  in  danger  of  being  over  whelmed  la 
she  idolatry  of  Egypt,  Tl?e  children  of  Ifr-'tl  being  long  amocg 
the  Egyptians,  and  being  fervants  under  them,  and  fo  r&t  undef 
advantages  to  kccpG  >d'«  ordinances  among  ihcfiafclves,  and  main- 
tain any  public  worfhip  or  public  inf^rudlion,  whcitby  thu  true  re- 
ligion m'ght  be  upheld,  and  there  being  row  no  written  word  ol 
God,  they,  by  degrees,  in  a  gre*t  mcifuje  loO  the  true  rcligJoD, 
and  borrowed  the  idolatry  of  Egypt ;  and  the  greater  pait  of  tlm 
people  fell  away  to  the  woriVip  of  ihcii  pad*.  This  w«  learn  by 
£zcL.  2r.  6.  7.  S.  and  by  chap,  xxiii.   |. 

This  now  was  the  third  tireie  that  Gnd'*  chyrch  was  -Jmof^  fwaN 
lowed  up  and  carried  away  with  the  wjckedncfs  of  the  world;  once 
|:)eforc  the  flood  ;  the  other  time,  before  the  calling  of  Abraham  5 
and  no*r  tlie  third  lime,  in  Egypt.  Bui  yet  God  did  cot  fufler  bit 
church  to  be  quite  overwhelmed  ;  he,  Tiill  favcd  it,  like  the  ar|i 
Sn  the  flood,  and  as  he  fared  Mofes  in  the  midft  of  tie  waters,  fjs 
an  ark  of  bulrufhei,  where  be  was  in  the  utmoft  danger  of  bcic|j 
iwallawcd  up.  The  true  religion  was  ftill  ktpiup  with  feme  ;  ani 
God  had  ftill  a  people  among  tfcctn,  even  in  ihii  mifefabh,corr'jpt. 
«nd  dark  time.  The  parents  of  Mofca  were  true  fcrvaiili  cf  God, 
us  we  may  learn  by  Kcb  x\,  25.  *'  By  faith  Mofes,  when  he  was 
born,  was  hid  three  mentbs  of  hit  parents,  Iccaufc  tbcy  faw  thai  hk 
was  a  proper  child  5  ^wi  ibc^  nc;G  aot  afjfcid  pi  Jtc  iing'i  co^* 


<t€  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  ji 

I  b«vc  now  gene  through  the  third  period  of  the  Old  Tcftjtnicnt 
tiTOC  ;  sni  have  ftown  hew  tlic  work  of  redemption  wa>  carried 
on  from  the  calling  of  Abraham  to  Mo/sj  ;  in  which  wc  hive  ftco 
many  great  thingi  done  towirdi  this  work,  and  a  great  advaact- 
mcat  oitbii  building,  beyond  what  had  been  before. 
P  A  II  T  IV. 
From    ^Niofcs    to    David. 

I  PROCEED  to  ihi  fourth  ptricd,   which  rcachei  from  MofcB 
to  David. — ^.1  would  ft^ow  how  the  work  of  rcdesnpiion  wat 
carried  on  through  thii  alfo. 

1.  The  fir/l  thing  that  offers  itfclf  to  be  confidcrcd  it  thercdcmp- 
lion  of  the  church  of  God  out  of  Egypt  ;  the  rooit  rcmarkible  of  all 
ihcOlJ  Teft^QienS  rcdcaiptioni  of  d:c  church  of  God,  and  that  which 
waa  thcgrcateft  pledge  and  forerur^ner  of  the  rcdca:iptiun  ot  Chrift, 
of  any  ;  and  is  much  iEorc  inllAcd  on  in  fcripture  than  any  other  of 
thofc  redemptions.  Indeed  it  wai  thegfeateft  typeofChrilVarcdciBp- 
tion  of  any  providential  event  whaifocver.  Thif  redf:mpticn  waa  by 
JefusCfcrift,  as  ii  evident  frooa  thi«,  that  it  wai  wroughi  by  him  thae 
appeared  to  Mofei  in  :he  bii(h  ;  for  shat  was  the  perfon  »h<i  feniiMofi f 
to  redeem  that  people.  Bat  thar  waa  Chrin,  at  is  evident,  bifcaufs 
be  is  called  the  angd  of  the  Lord,  Exod.  iii.  2.  3.  The  tLfh  rc- 
prcfcnted  the  human  nature  of  Chrif^,  that  is  called  ihe  bronchi 
Thii  bufh  grew  en  mount  Sinsi  or. Horeb, which  it  i  wcrd  ihstfigni- 
fiei  a  dry  place, as  the  huxsn  nature  oJChrill  was  n  rooi  out  oj  a  dry 
ground.  The  bufti  burning  with  tire,  repfcfcnied  the  (uiferingi  of 
Chri/t,  in  the  hre  of  God'i  wraih.  it  burned,  and  wa»  not  confum» 
ed  ;  fo  Chrift,  though  he  fuflered  extremely,  yet  pcrift-cd  not; 
bui  ovcrcioie  at  U^/ivA  lofc  f-oai^  futi";ringi  Hccaufe  tfjia  great 
fiiy^sy  of  ihc  incartjation  and  fufTcring*  of  Chri.'t  was  here  repre. 
icviWd,  therefore.  Muffs  fayf,  "  1  will  turn  aiiue,  anc'  behold  thit 
great  fight,"  A  grent  fight  he  might  wcli  Ctll  it,  vthea  there  >tfas 
rcprefcnted,  God  m^nifcft  in  th«  fiefit,  sod  fu^'etinf?  a  dreadful 
^t£th,  and  rifiog  from  the  dead. 

This  glorious  Redeemer  was  hs  that  redecaied  the  church  out  of 
Eg) pi,  ffooi  under  the  band  of  Fharoah  ;  as  Chrift,  by  hil  d^aib 
and  fuftcringt,  r-decmed  his  people  from  Salan,  the  fpirilual  Pha* 
faoh.  He  redeemed  thctrj  from  £181  d  fcf  vice  and  cruel  drudgery; 
as  Chrill  rerkemi  his  people  from  the  cruel  lUvtry  of  fm  a\id  Saian. 
Kc  redeemed  them,  as  it  is  fsid,  from  be  iron  furnace  ;  as  Chrift 
fedeeoas  hl»  church  from  a  furnace  of  tire  and  everlafliog  burJiingt, 
He  redcen^ed  thero  with  a  ftrong  hand  and  out  f^icicbed  arm,  and 
great  and  terrible  judgcnoents  on  their  enemies ;  zjCbriO  with  migh* 
ty  power  triumph*  over /r/«c/pfl//.'/V;  and  powers ^  and  executes 
terrible  judgements  on  his  church's  enemies,  bruiiing  the  ferpcnt'i 
l«4d,    U<;  fgv?d  tbcBJ,  v.tca  oihas  vysre  w!«f:roy«d^  by  ^bc  fprink* 


H  A    H  I  GTO  R  Y    cf 

ling  of  the  blood  of  the  pafchsl  la.nb  ;  ajGod'«  church  is  fivedfrom 
death  by  thcfprinkliag  of  rhcb'.ood  ol  Cbrill,  when  the  reft  of  iht 
world  ii  dcfiruycd.  GoJ  bought  forch  the  people  forelv  *i!gsin?\ 
the  w.iil  of  thcl{gypiu»i,whca  tbcy  could  nor  besr  to  hi  them  go  ; 
fo  Chrifl  rcfcue^hi- peopl*  out  of  4h«  hands  of  the  ficvU,  forciy 
agiinft  til  ••'iil,  when  hi»  pfoud  heart  caar.ol  bat  to  bs  otfcicome. 

In  ihu  redemption,  Chrift  did  noi  only  rcdecti)  the  pcppic  ffcm 
ihe  Egpy liana,  but  ha  redeemed  ihcna  frotii  ihc  dtvih,  ihc  gcd»  of 
^gyp^  J  for  bttforc^thcy  had  bees  in  a  rt*te  of  fciviiadc  lo  ic.c  gcdi 
of  figyps,  2*  well  as  to  the  men.  Aad  Chrift,  the  feed  oJ  the  «fo- 
maiu  dtd  new,  in  a  very  rtinarfcibU  m;<nncr,  fulfii  the  curfc  oa 
the  fcrpent,  in  bruifjog  hi»  head  :  Kn-oci  xii.  12.  "  Fuf  I  wiU 
pafi  ttircugh  the  land  of  iL^ypi  thi»  night,  snd  vcili  fcnJtc  ail  the 
firft  born  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  ccinn  and  btafc,  and  a^a-nft  all 
the  god»  of  Kgypt  wiil  1  exf cute  fudgeaaer;t.''  Hdl  wag  m  much 
and  more  engaged  in  that  l^sir,  than  Egypt  was.  Tht  pride  sndf 
«rucUy  of  Sat«n,  that  eld  fcrpent,  waa  tx^ore  concerned  in  it  ihaa 
Pharsoh'a.  tiz  did  his  uimos't  ?g'vir.'fi  >he  people,  and  to  bis  ut- 
SDoft  oppofcd  their  redemption.  But  it  is  faid,  that  y^hcn  God  rc- 
iJerjsjcd  his  people  out  of  Hlg*  pr,  he  broke  the  heads  of  the  dra- 
gons in  the  wsi£r»,  acd  btok£  the  hcid  of  Icviaihan  in  pieces,  »n4 
gave  hico  to  be  meat  for  the  pccpic  inhibiting  the  wilocrncfs  Ff«I, 
Ixtiv^.  II  13.  14.  Gcd  forced  their  cjitooics  loirt  ihroa  go,  that 
they  might  fervc  him  ;  as  alfo  Z^charias  obfervci  with  iclptdt  to 
the  church  uudcr  the  gofptl.    Luke  i   74.  75* 

The  people  of  Kracl  went  o'U  with  an  high  hand,  an4  Chri'l 
ircnt  b'foff  thccn  in  a  pilisr  of  clotd  and  fire.  Thcjc  w.j»  a  [\\o' 
riouatriunn.ph  ovtr  earih  and  ^ell  in  thst  dd!vcranc«.  And  whcfi 
Pharaoh  and  ha*  hofU.,  and  *5atan  by  them,  purfuei  thep?opIc,Qh,ift 
ovcrthrgw  them  io  the  Usd  fca  ;  the  Lord  triuaphcd  gloi»».ufl>  5 
the  horf«  and  his  rider  he  cafl  into  the  fea,  and  thtrc  th^y  fl-pl  their 
lafl  flcep,  and  never  foUov^cd  the  children  tf  Ifraei  any  more  ;  ai 
all  Chrift's  enemies  arc  ovciihrown  In  hi*  bleed,  v^hishby  irs abun- 
dant fufHcicccy,  and  the  greatntf*  of  the  fuffcrsng*  wi.h  which  it 
was  (VM:d,  may  wdl  be  riprefentcd  by  a  hi.  The  Red  fea  did  re- 
prefcnl  Chrift's  blood,  as  h  evident,  becaufe  the  *pofile  con'.paci 
the  children  of  IfracVi  paiTagc  through  the  Red  fe^  to  b^ptif;?),  i 
Cor.  x?i.  1.  But  we  all  kucw  that  the  vsratcr  of  baptifm  repie- 
ienti  Chrifi'f  blood. 

ThiM  ChriO,  the  angel  of  God'»  prefcccc,  in  hit  love  and  hit 
pity,  redeemed  hi»  p«opl«,  and  carried  thcm.ih  ihc  day?  of  old  at 
on  eaglc'«  wiugi,  fo  that  none  of  their  proud  astd  fpiuiul  enemici, 
Bcithcr  Egyptiani  nor  devils,   could  touch  them.     ' 

Tbii  ^yy  ^ahc  a  new  thing  ihat  Gcd  did  low.^rds  thU  great  work 
ef  re>.;Tiption.  God:-«r':r  had  done  any  thing  lik^. it  before;  5 
P^ui,  iv.  32 ,  33.  34.    Tbii  wai  a.  great  *4vi5c;jasa:  cl  ihs  « o  ife  . 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  ?T  I  O  N.  5j 

«f  redemption,  that  hid  been  begun  tndl  carried  on   from  the  fall 
of  min  ;  t  g;ic;x  f^tptikcn  in  divine  proviicncc  io.v5irds  a  prcpa* 
rttion  fof  Chrifl's  coming  into  the  world,  and  wofkir.>g  out  hia 
great  artd  cfcfoal  rcdcrrplion  :    forthli   was   I'n*   pr.  pic  of    Hhom 
Chrirt  wai  to  come.     New  wc  n\^y  fee  bow   ihai  plant  fiourifVcd 
that  Gad  had  phnted  in  Abraham.     Though   ih«  family  of  which 
Chtift  wai  to  cotne,  had  been  in  a  degree  fcparated  frcm  the   icfl 
of  the  world  before,  in  the  calling  of  Abraham  ;  yet  that  fcparsli- 
on  ihit  wai  then  anadc,  appeared  not  to  be  fufficient,   witiiou*  fur* 
Iher  feparaticn.     For  though  by  that  fcparation,    they   were  kept 
«f  Aran  Jen  snd  fojoiiraeri,  kept  from  being  united  with  other  peo» 
pie  in  i-he  Tims  political  focstties ;  yctlhcy  remained  miied  among 
them,  by  which  mcaot,  as  it  had  proved,  they  had  been  in  danger 
of  wholly  lollng  the  true  rellgton,    and  of  being  ovcnun  with  the 
idolatry  of  their  neighbour*.   God  new,  therefore,  by  this  rcdcmp- 
tjon,  fcparated  them  ai  a  naion  from  all  other  n^ttioni ,  to  fubfift 
ty  ihcmfctvci  in  their  own  political  and   ecclcfiii^ical  ilatc,  with- 
out hav4ng  any  coaccfn  with  the  Heathen  nationi,  that  they  might 
fo  be  kept  feparjtc  till  Chrift  (liould  come  ;  and  fo  that  the  churcli 
of  Chri(^  might  be  upheld   md  might  Veep  the  oracles  of  God,  till 
Ihit  tim:  ?  that  in  them  might  be  kept  up  ihofc  types  and  prophe- 
cies of  Chrift,  and  thofe  hii^orics,   and  other  divine   prrtioui  in- 
flru£\Joni,thatwcrenccefrjry  to  prepare  the  way  foiChrifrsccm-rg, 
IT.    As  thfa  people  were  feparatcd   to  be  Go^'s  peculiar  people^ 
fo  all  other  people  upon  the  face  of  th«  whole  eanh  were  wholly  re- 
jcftcd  and  given  over  to  Heaibenlfm,     Thli,  fo  far  ss  the  provi- 
dence of  God  wai  concerned  in  it,   belongs  to  the   grfai  aifalr  ol 
r«dcmption^lhat  wc  are  upon,  and  wm  one  thing  that  God  ordered 
in  his  providence  to  prepare  the  way  for  Chrift'i  comkng,   and  th« 
great  falvation  he  was  to  accompUfih  in  the  v^orld  ;  for  it  was  only 
to  prepare  the  wny  for  the  nacre  glorious  and  fignal  viiflory  and 
triumph  of  ChriAVpowsr  and  grace  over  the  wicked  and  miferable 
world,  and  thit  Chrifl's  fsilvaiion  of  the  world  of  mankind  mij^hi 
fcecome  the  more  fcnPble.     Thia  is  the  account  the  fcriptu#c  itfclf 
gives  us  of  the  matter,  Rom.  xi.  30.  31.  32.     The  apoAle  there 
fpcakiag  to  the  Gentiles  that  had  formerly  been  Heathens,  fays^ 
••  As  yc  m  times  pai>  hive  not  belicvcdGod,  y*t  have  now  chained 
mercy  through  their  unbdief ;  even  fo  hsve  thcfc  aj/o  new  QOt  be- 
lieved, that  through  your  mercy  »hey  alfo  may  obtain  mercy*  For 
God  hsth  cosiiuded  them  ail  In  unbelief,  lutf  he  might  have  mercy 
rpca  all.*'  u  t.     li  was  the  will  of  God,  that  the  wholt  world, 
-  Jews,  and  Gentiles,  (Viould  be  cor.cluded  in  vifiblc   and  profcflcd 
URbclief,  that  fo  God'»  me/'Sy  md  Chrifi's  falva:ion  towardi  theai 
all  might  b?  vifible  and  fcnfiblc.  For  the  ipoAlc  it  not  fpeaking  only 
»f  tb^at  unbelief  thai  it  sttural  to  all  Ggd's  profcfTifig  people  as  weM 

af 


5t»  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  r    of 

«9  Other?, but  tbat  ithich  eppesrs,  2nd  is  vifible  ;  fuchai  the  Jews  f«n 
into,  wtjcn  they  openly  ft jcficdChrift, and  ceafed  to  be  a  profciling 
people.  The  apoAlc  cbfcrves,  ko-fl-  that  firfl  the  Gentiles,  ctcn  th« 
Gentile  nations,  wcic  included  in  a  prof^^red  unbelief  and  opca 
oppofition  lo  the  true  rciigJcn,  before  Cbrift  cam«,  to  prepare  the 
Way  for  the  calling  of  kh^;  Gentiles,  which  was  foon  aficr  Chrift 
came,  that  God's  mercy  might  be  the  more  viiibic  to  ihzm  ;  anti 
ihal  the  Jcwg  were  rcje61cd,  and  spoftarizcd  frcm  the  viiiblt 
churnh,  tt)  prtjiarc  the  way  for  th*  calling  of  the  jews,  wbich  ftiall 
hs  in  the  httcr  days  :  So  that  it  iray  be  fccn  of  aH  nzuoht,  Jcwi 
and  Gcntiks,  that  rhey  are  vinbly  redeemed  by  Chifift,  ffom  being 
tilibly  aliens  from  the  cocinrionwcjalth  qi  IfracI,  without  hope,  aijd 
without  God  in  the  world. 

We  cznnci  certainly  detcrm'ne  prccifety  at  what  tinst  the  apft- 
ftafy  of  the  Gentile  naiiona  from  ;fcc  tnis  God,  or  there  being  cq.i^ 
eluded  in  vifihle  unbelief,  became  univcrfal.  Ttielr  falitag  awar 
wa»  a  gradual  ihsng,  as  we  obfcrved  tsfore,  it  wiS  gi'neral  in 
Abraham'*  time,  but  not  uaivcrfal  ;  for  then  wc  find  Mclchiccdcc, 
occ  of  the  kirgi  of  Canaan,  was  pric/l  of  ihe  rnofl  high  God.  Af- 
ter thi«  the  true  religion  vras  kept  up  for  a  while  aaaong  fotnc  of 
the  reft  of  Abrahaaa'*  pofterity,  bcfrdjcj  the  fanjily  of  J^ccb  ;  and 
alfo  in  faXiC  of  ihs  pafUrity  of  Nahor,  35  we  have  inftanccs  in  Job, 
and  h!»  three  friendi,  znd  Elihu,  The  Jand  of  Uz,  where  Job  lived 
wsit  a  land  poiTtiTcd  by  the  poftcrity  of  Uz,  or  Huz,  the  fon  of 
Nahor,  Abraham's  brother,  cf  whoan  wc  read,  Gen.  "^tlu,  21. 
BiUzd  thcShuhirs  was.of  the  ofl^pring  of  Shush,  Abraham's  fen  by 
K-tfu«b,  Gen.  xxv.  i.  2.  :  ar4  ElVm  ibc  Busite,  waarJ  Eux  the 
fon  of  Nahor,  the  brother  cf  Abrahsm.  So  the  true  religion  Jailed 
among  fomc  other  pc^nl-,  bcf^dea  the  Ifraclucs,  a  while  after 
Abraham.  But  it  did  Jiat  hft  long :  and  it  is  probable  that  the  tlmt 
of  their  total  rcjtdion^r.nd  giving  up  to  idolatry,  wa«  about  the  time 
when  God  fcpiratcd  the  chiSdrcn  cf  iiVscl  from  Egypt  to  fcrvs 
hicn  ;  for  ih.;y  arc  often  put  in  mhid  on  that  occafion,  that  God  had 
ttow  fcpara^cd  thera  to'behis  pecuKar  people  ;  or  tobedirtbgu^rti- 
ci  from  all  oi'^cr  prople  upon  earth,  to  be  hi«  people  alone  ;  to  hs 
^is  portion,  whcr*  others  were  rejected.  This  feemi  to  hold  forth 
thut  much  to  u*,  that  God  r.ow  chofc  tbcm  in  fuch  a  manner,  that 
this  vifible  chc'Cif  d  them  was  acc\3mpanicd  with  a  >:fiblc  rejcc- 
tion  of  *1!  other  nal!oas  in  the  world  ;  tlj3t  God  vif.b'y  caaa?,  and 
took  up  hii  refidsncc  w!?h  *heai,  as  foffakin^  all  other  na;1on«« 

And  £2  the  fif  ft  call  in?  of  the  GentiJci  after  ChtiTt  «amc,  wst 
aacompanJed  iviih  the  rtjedion  of  the  Jews ;  fo  the  firft  calling  of 
Sht  Jews  to  be  God'a  people,  when  they  were  called  out  of  Egypt, 
fr»  accomp-JHscH  with  a  rgjcrtion  of  the  Gentilei. 

*rhM  »U  ths  Goatik  oatioas,  thrci'ghout  the  whole  world,  all 


.  lh«  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N,  57 

on«,  but  only  the  Ifraclitcs,  and  iboff:  that  embodied  ihcmfe'ves 
with  ihesn.  ^vcrc  Icfs  end  given  up  10  idolafy  ;  and  fo  coDlinucd  a 
great  many  agcj,  even  from  this  time  tilJ  Chrll*  c«mc,  which  was 
abou?  filtccrp.  hundred  ycjr?.  They  were  conclu  led  fo  long  a  tJma 
ia  uabclicf,  ihsil  there  txilghi  be  a  thorough  proof  of  ilc  ncccfnty 
of  a  f.<viour  ;  that  it  ailghi:  appear  by  fo  long  a  i/ial,  p:if{  all  c^n- 
tradirtioo,  ihat  mar^kiad  were  uiierly  infuflicicnt  to  deliver  thcci- 
fclrrs  f'oax  thuJ  groA  o'^rkricfs  aud  riifery,  and  fuljcdion  to  tl.e 
dcvii,  that  tbcy  had  fallen  under  ;  that  it  might  appear  that  all  :hc 
wifdom  of  the  philofcphCiS,  and  the  wifefl  men  that  the  Heathen 
had  among  ihcLa,  could  not  deliver  ihem  from  their  darkncfj,  for 
the  greater  glory  tojcfui  Cbrifr,  who,  when  he  came,  enlightened 
and  delivered  ihtm  by  his  glorious  gofpe!.  Herein  the  wonderful 
wifdom  of  God  ?pp£areJ,  In  tbuj  prcpari.ig  the  way  for  Chrifi's 
reJcmption,  This  the  fci ipiufc  tcsches  us,  as  in  1  Cor.  i.  21. 
'  For  after  that,  in  the  wlfdoci  of  Gud,  the  world  by  wifdcm 
knew  not  God,  it  p'eafci  G^i  by  tks  fooii^aeft  of  pr^-^ching  to 
fave  them  that   believe." 

Here  I  might  coTiiiier  as  another  work  of  God,  whereby  the 
general  work  of  redeaipaoa  .vas  carried  on,  that  wonderful  deii^ 
vcrancc  which  he  wrcight  for  the  children  of  IfracI  at  theRedfe?, 
when  they  were  purfucd  by  the  hoiis  of  the  Egyptians,  and  were 
juft  ready  lobe  fv.allcwed  up  by  thcrn,  th^re  being,  to  human  sp- 
pearancc,  no  podibility  of  an  efcaps.  But  as  this  may  be  referred 
to  their  redemption  out  of  Egypt,  and  coafidered  as  a  part  of  tha( 
mere  general  work,   I  fhali  not  further  enlarge  upon  it. 

III.  The  next  thing  that  I  Ibali  tz^z  notice  of  here,  v/h^t  was 
done  towarJs  the  work  of  redemption,  is  God's  giving  the  ir'oral 
law  in  fo  awful  a  manner  at  Mount  Sinai.  This  was  another  nevr 
thing  that  Qod  did,  a  new  ^n^i  taken  ia  this  great  affair.  Deur, 
iv.  33.  "  Did  ever  a  peopJ^  hear  the  voice  of  God  fpcaking  out 
of  the  midftof  the  fire,  sa  thou  hsft  heard,  and  live  ?"  And  it 
was  a  great  thir.g  ih'.t  God  did  towards  this  work,  and  that  whcihcr 
we  confidcr  it  as  delivered  ai  a  new  exhibition  of  the  covenant  ot 
works,  or  given  as  a  rule  of  life. 

The  covenant  of  work?  was  here  exhibited  to  boas  a  fchool- 
Diaftcr  to  lead  to  Chrifi,  not  only  for  the  ufe  of  thn  nation  in  the 
ages  of  the  Old  Teftamenc,  but  for  the  ufc  of  GoJa  church  through- 
out all  ages  of  the  world  ;  as  an  infcrum'ent  that  th>^  great  redeemer 
makes  ufe  of  to  conviacc  men  of  their  ftn  and  mifery,  and  help- 
lcf»  ftatc,  and  of  God's  awful  and  tjrmenduou*  m-'jcriy  and  ju;i  iec 
as  a  lawgiver,  ar)d  fo  to  mak':  mr:n  icrfibh  of  the  ncceli  tyofChrift 
as  a  faviour.  The  work  of  redemptic  .in  it*  faving  cfFtd  en  mens 
fouls,  in  all  the  progrcfs  of  it  to  the  end  cf  it,  is  not  carried  oa 
Hfiihout  the  ufe  of  thia  law  that  was  now  delivered  at  Sinai. 

G  I?: 


58  AHISTORYof 

It  \rai  given  in  an  awful  manner,  with  a  terrible  voice,  exceed- 
ingj  loud  an  ^^fJ.,  fo  that  all  rhc  people  ih*i  were  in  the  camp 
Irc-nbled  ;  and  Mofrj  binfilelf,  though  fo  intimate  a  friend  of  God^ 
yet  f?id,  I  cxccdinj-y  fear  ^nd  quake  ;  ihc  voice  being  iccoon- 
paniad  with  thun-ftrsasid  lightnings,  the  mou^-tain  burning  with 
fire  to  themidn  cf  heaven,  and  the  earth  itfclf  fhaking  a-nd  trem- 
bling ;  to  make?*!!  fenfiblc  how  gf^cat  that  authority,  power,  aid 
jufticc  was,  ih^t  lioodl  cr.gacj*^^  *o  ex  id  thefuifi'mcnt  of  this  law, 
and  to  fee  it  fuily  uxscutcd  ;  tnd  how  ftridly  God  vrou'd  require 
the  fu'fi'm«nt  :  and  how  terrible  his  wrath  would  be  *gainft  every 
breaker  of  It  ;  that  men  being  feniible  of  thtTe  things,  might  have 
a  thorough  trial  of  thcmfcivcii,  and  mi^ht  pi>0T^  their  own  hearts, 
aid  know  how  impofT^blc  it  is  for  ttjoji  to  have  falvation  by  the 
wo-ks  of  the  law,  and  iiii|bt  fee  the  abfJuie  neceffity  they  ftocjcl 
in  of  a  mtiiat  ^r, 

V  wc  regard  thi»  1  iw  now  given  %*  Mount  SIbii,  not  a8  the  eo- 
venint  of  works,  b«l  si  a  rule  of  life  ;  fo  it  is  made  ufe  of  by  the 
Kcdscrnrr,  from  thn  lime  to  the  end  of  the  world,  ae  a  direftory 
to  his  pccp'e,  to  (k^w  rhenn  the  way  in  which  they  rouft  walk,  at 
they  would  go  to  heaven  :  for  a  way  of  fin  cere  and  utiiverfal  ebc- 
dicact   to  ihis  Uw  is  the  narrow  wzy  rbit  hzdi  to  life. 

IV,  The  n<xt  tbitig  that  is  oLfc*  rsble  in  this  period,  is  God't 
giving  thetypicallS'V,  In  which  I  fcppo^t  to  be  included  moft  or 
r!1  ihofs  prcc^ipts  that  were  given  by  Mofes,  that  did  not  properly 
bc!o'  g  to  the  njoral  law  ;  rot  only  thofe  Ir^.ws  that  are  coiSimonly 
called  csrtvisniiil,  in  <:liftir,dtitn  from  judicial  I«W5,  wUch  are  the 
laws  prefcribing  the  cc-anfi'jnies  and  circuiiiftanccs  of  the  JcwifJi 
woribip,  tnd  their  ccckfu ft ic^Hiate  ;  but  alfd  many,  if  not  all 
thofe  divine  Uwi  that  were  political,  and  tor  regulatiwf  the  Jcwifh 
COT.nnonweaUh,  conaiv.i'y  qA\c-A  judt'tt^l  \ai*v^  \  ihcfc  were  al 
belt  many  of  ihena  lyp'Gsl.  The  giving  this  typicAl  law  wai 
another  great  th'n|  that  Gad  did  ia  this  period,  tcndi->g  to  build  up 
this  glorious  f^rudurc  of  rtdemplioss  A  at  God  had  been  carying  ca 
iiom  the  bediming  of  the  wofl).  There  had  been  many  typical 
evcntsof  providtnct  be'ort,  >hat  r«pi«fcni«d  Cbri/J  and  hia  re- 
demption, aid  fonae  typical  ordinanef«,as  particularly  thofc  two  of 
ficriHcc*  and  circumcii^oi  ;  but  now,  iriUcad  of  rcprefentirj  lh« 
great  redeemer  w.  a  lew  i/ifiitutioni,  God  gives  forth  a  law  fuW 
of  rothinj;  elfe  but  various  and  innumerkfelt  typical  repjsfea- 
lationsof  I  lod  thing*  to  come,  by  which  that  n«tion  were  diicd- 
cd  how,  erery  yenr,  m  >n'.h.  and  day,  in  their  rcl-gous  actions, arcj 
in  their  coi'.ducl  cf  themfelves,  in  vtll  that  -»pperU5ned  to  their  ec- 
cl«rnftiral  ?.nd  civil  JUte,  to  fliow  forth  foaacvhiajg;  oi  Chrirt  ;  one 
obfcrvance  (b  )win|  one  thing,  exhibiting  one  do<^ti  inc,  or  one  be- 
Qetii ;  ftaotUr,  aastber  :  fo  that  the  whole  nttioo  by  thii  Iiw  wai^ 


Ike  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  59 

as  it  were,  conftiiutcd  in  t  typJc*!  flaie.  T'*u«  the  torpel  wai 
tbundintly  held  forth  to  iharnalion  ;  fo  iha;  there  it  fc«icj  sr.y 
d  idrineof  if,  but  is  pariictiliirly  laLf;=-,t  atr!  txhibitcci  by  fume  cb- 
fe  vwr.cc  of  this  hw  ;  ihojfh  it  vrai  in  fbadoi^s,  aud  under  a  vai!, 
a»  ivlofjs  put  a  vail  on  hi«  uc*  when  itft)on«. 

To  this  typic*!  law  bet  r,g»;iihcpjcccpis  that  fclatt  to  building 
the  tabernacic,  that  wa»  fct  up  in  ih«  wiiairacfs,  aad  all  the  f-^rir, 
ciicumtenc^S  and  utcnills  of  it. 

V  About  thi»  time  vr«8  given  to  God's  church  ihe  fijft  written 
word  of  God  thai  ever  Wij  enjoyed  by  God's  pccplc.  'I  his  was  a- 
nothcr  great  thing  dene  towardi  the  sifiir  of  redetrption,  t  nevr 
and  glorious  adviniccmdnt  of  the  buiioing.  Not  iar  fjcnn  ibii 
tine,  was  the  bcginntog  of  the  great  wfill«n  fu!e,  whi.:b  God  has 
given  for  the  regulation  of  the  taiih,  wojlbip,  and  pr*dtce  oi  his 
church  in  all  ige»  henceforward  to  th«  end  pf  the  world  j  v^hich 
rule  grew,  smd  was  added  to  from  that  tirae,  for  mrny  sgts,  ilU  it 
was  fioiftcd,  and  the  cmon  of  fcripture  ccn-;plcrcd  by  the  spo/^l« 
joha.  li  is  not  very  material,  whether  the  firi\  wiiuirn  wcrd  thai 
ever  was,  wa»  the  ten  ccmnaandmcRtJ  written  on  the  trblc-  of  foLC 
whh  the  finger  of  Gcd,  or  the  beck  ot  Job  ;  sad  ubtihcr  U  c  took 
of  Job  was  wriiien  byMofes,  as  foaac  fuppofc,  orbyhlHhu,  a>  ot::£ri. 
If  it  was  written  by  EUhu,  it  wis  wrietea  bCiOr«  mis  pciicd  th^it  w€ 
ire  now  upon  ;  but  yei  cculd  not  b--  far  irotr.  ii,as  appears  by  con- 
fi  'triag  whofc  pofterlty  ihc  perfons  were  ih;<t  are  fpokcn  of  in  it, to- 
gether withjob's  great  age,  that  was  palfcd  before  this  was  written. 

The  written  word  of  God  is  the  main  inf^ruzncnl  Chrirt  hss 
uaade  ufc  of  to  carry  on  hit  work  of  redcinption  w  »!l  ages  fjECO 
i;  was  given.  There  was  a  recefPin-  ijc'^  of  the  wcrd  of  God's  be- 
ing c®maiitr«i  to  writing,  for  a  ftc-idy  rule  of  God  s  ctiuichp  Be- 
fore this,  the  church  hs.^  the  word  of  God  by  if-.ditiL.n,  tjihcr  by 
i/Tjoiediatc  tradition  from  cinJncnt  men  tbat  Here  I  fpircd,  that 
Wtfic  then  living,  (for  it  wes  a  ccmjcon  thirg  in  trofi  days,  be- 
fore there  was  a  written  word,  forGod  to  reveal  himfcif  imrr.cdijtc- 
ly  to  cmineBtpcrfcm,as«pprjn  by  the  book  of  Job,  ai:d  m:^ny 
ether  things  that  mrgSt  be  mentioned,  ta  i)it  bock  of  Giv.zd^),  or 
elf:  they  had  It  by  tridicion  (rozi  foras^r  gencrAUcns,  which  mip.ht 
be  had  with  toIer^Maccrtiirry  in  agj^s  prcccedlng  ihlsby  i«afoji  of 
thclong  lives  of  men.  Njah  mirht  convcff.-  with  A^^itt,  fisd' 
fcceive  sraditions  frorr  hir^  ;  and  Nn»h  lived  till  ,bont  Abr&i^aa's 
lime:  and  the  fons  of  Jacob  lived  a  confi-lcrablc  time  to  deliver  tht 
revclitioas  made  t-Ahrahsm,  If^ac,  ?ndj*cob,  to  rhctr  pofirrity  ia 
Egypt.  But  the  dif^ancc  from  th*-  beginning  of  things  vas  beco«TC 
fofercai.aRd  the  livrs  of  men  bccw^c  fo  Jhort,  bcin  j  brot-'ght  rlonjj 
to  ?hcprefent<lani^fd  about  Mofc-'s  tJ.T*-,  and  G^vj  h:.vin7  ro'v 
Icp-rat-d  8  muon  to  be  a  prcolisr  peor^e.  putly  /or  th^i  end  to 
bf  ik$  keepers  vf  ^^f  gratis  qi  Gca  -,  G-^i  Uvt  it  to  fee  a  needful 

aid 


6o  A    HISTORY    oi 

aa<3  c:nvv-n lent  till?  no«<  to  cc^Kpitbis  word  to  vrrhlng,  tr>  ye- 
main  henceforward  /or  a  ft«ady  ruk  throu;;hout  all  »gcs.  There- 
fore, bcfdcB  ihs  book  of  job,  ChriA  wrote  ihs  ten  catnmandmcnti 
on  tubki  of  fton«,  wSth  hhcwn  firgcr  ;  »r.d  aficr  thii  ihs  whole 
law,  J!s  containing  ihc  febftancc  of  the  fire  books  of  Mofcs,  was  by 
GyS\  ffCchX  coaiTiand  coajmiaed  <o  writing,  which  Wis  called  thi 
hook  of  the  lauj,  and  wi«  hid  inihe  tabcm-icic,  to  be  kept  there  fo; 
the  life  of  the  charch  ;  a«  you  ojsy  fee,  Dcut.  xxxi.  24   2j.  26. 

Vi,     God  waji  phafcvj  now  w^cndcfu'Iy  to  re-prcfsni  the  pro- 
grcfsofhii    redeemed  church  through  the  wcrid  to  their  eternal 
inhcrltaace,  by  the  jo-.-rney  of  tht-  cbiHrea-of   Ifrael  through  the 
tvilderncfs,  frcai  Ejypt   to  Csaasr..     Here  all  the  various  flcps 
of   the    rcdetEpticn  of  the  chuich  by   Chrift  were  rcprefcntei 
from  the  beginning  to  its   confummation  ia  glory.     The  ftatc 
they   are  re:!ecmed  from    sa   reprcfentcd    by  Egypt,    and  thcif 
bonda;:;^  ihers,    which    rhey    left.     The   purchase  of  thuir    te^ 
de.npti^a  was  reprcfented  l;y  th«  fic:;ifi:e  ot  the  pafcha!  Iamb, 
which   H-S.1   oiljrcJ  up    ihst   night   dut  God  fir.r  all  the  firf;- 
boru  of  Egypt.     The  bcgisixing  of  ihe  appUcarioa  of  the  redemp- 
tion of  Chrii'i'.!  church  in  iheir  coni^cilion,  was  reprefcRtci  by  If- 
TicVi  going  out  of  Egypt,  End  pafling  through  ths  R^d  fea  in  fa 
•^xtracriin^^iv  Md  mir:iCuIou5  a  manner.     The  trrxvel  of  the  church 
through  this  evil  worli,  aad  the  vtrious  changes  shrough  which  the 
churah  paila,  in  tie  diifercnt  l^sges  of  it,  was  rcprefcnted  by  the 
j  iurney  of  the  Ifrailitcs  through  the  wildernefa,     Th«  m^mner  of 
their  being  conducted  by  Chrift,  was  reprcfent«d  by  the  Ifraclitci 
bein,g  led  by  the  pillar  of  cictjd  by  daiyf  and  ihe  pillar  of  fire  by 
night.     The  manner  of  ihc  chuich's  being  ftpporicd  in  their  pro- 
grcfi,  Slid  fupp'ied  from  the  beginning  to  ihc  end  cf  it^  with  fpi- 
ritual  food,  and  ccntinual  daily  coramunieatiot^s  frooc  God^   wai 
reprcfentedby  God's  fup'plying  the  children  of  Ifrasl  with  bread, 
or  mam%a  from  heaven,  and  water  out  of  th«  rock.     The  dangert 
thalihe  f.jinl3n3uft  meet  with  in  their  couifc  ihrotigh  the   worlda 
were  rciprefcnicd  by  th=  f^ery  fiying  fcrpcnts  which  ihe  children  of 
ITraei  iiit:t  wi:h  in  the  wildcmefs.  Tiicconfl.'dls  thcch¥rch  has  with 
bcr  enet»ic3,  wire  repief^ntcd  by  their  bau'e  with  the  Amalekitcj,, 
and  others  they  mttv^iih  there.     Innumirrble  other  things  might 
be  onentioned,  wherein  the  things  they  met  with  were  lively  icaa- 
gcs  of  things  which  the  church  and  fnnts  noeet  with  in  all  pgc«  of 
the  world.     Tbat  thcfe  thiig*  are  typical  of  thing*  that  pertain  to 
the  Chrinian  church,  U  manifcit  from  i  Cor,  x.  11.  *'  Now   all 
thefe  things  happened  unto  them  for  cafamplcs,  and  they  v/crc 
wrii'en  for  our  r.dmoniticn,  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  are 
com?."     Here  ihf  sT'oAlc  33  fpcaking  of  thofc  very  things  which 
wc  hwc  now   nQention«d,  and  he  faya  exprefsly,   that   thty  «^2p- 
ptati  uato  ihcin  for  O'/'.'/  \  ^o  it  is  ia  the  origicaU  Vll. 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  1  O  N.  6i 

VII.  Another  thing  here  muft  not  br  omitted,  which  wi»  a 
great  and  rcoiarkible  difpcnfation  of  Providence,  refpcdUng  the 
whole  world  of  markicd,  which  wai  finifhcd  in  ihii  period  ;   ani 
that  was,  the  fhoriening  the  dsys  of  mans  life,   whereby  it  wa» 
brought  down  from  being  betv.'Cca   nine  huridrcd   and  a  ihoufand 
ycars^to  be  but  about  I'evtniy  or  eighty.   Tht  lifjt  of  man  began  to 
be  fhorttncd  immediarcly  after  iht  flood  :  it  wa«  brought  down  the 
firfl  generat'on  to  600  years,  and  the  next  to  between  fcursad  5CO 
years ;  and  fo  the  life  of  man  gradually  grew  fhortcr  aad  fhorter, 'till 
aboui  the  time  of  the  great  oiort^ility  ihat  was  in  the  congregation 
of  Ifrael,  after  they  had  murmured  at  the  report  of  the  i^its,  and 
Ihcir  carcalTts  fell  in  the  wilderacfs,  whereby  all  the  men  of  irar 
died  ;  and  then  the  life  of  man  wag  rc^Juced  to  its  ptefcul  fi.-indard, 
as  Mofcs  obfcrvfs  in  that  piiilm  that  he  wrote  on  occafion  of  that 
mortality  :  pfjl.  xc,  10.  *' The  day i  of  our  years  iire   thrceicorc 
yciii  k:  d  ten ;  and  if  by  rcafo,-!  of  ftrength  ihty  be  fourfcorz  years, 
yet  U  their  f^rcr.gvh  labour  aad   forrpw  :  for  it  is  foon  cutoff,  aad 
we  fly  aw?.y." 
This  great  difpcnfalion  of  God  tended  to  promote  the  grand  dc* 
fjgn  of  the  redemption  of  C.jri  A.     Man's  life  b«ing   cat   fo  very 
Ihort  in  t4iii  wold,  tended  to  prepare  the    way    for  poor,  mort?.!* 
fhort- lived  men,  the  more  joyfully  lo  cutcrrtaia   the  glad  tidings  of 
cvcrlafting  life  in  another  world,  thii  are  brought  so  light  hry  the 
gofpcl ;  and  more  readiiy  to  erobr^cc  a  faviour,  that  purchafcs  aad 
ofFtrs  fuch  a  b'.cfiing.     if  men's  lives  were  Aill   commonly  about 
oi»:e  hundred  y.ars,  how  much  kfs  would  they  have  to  move  ihetn 
to  regard  the  profF-rs  of  a  future  life  ;  how  much  greater  Jcmptati- 
on  would  th^y  nave  to  reft  in  the  the  things  of  this  world,  they  be- 
ing of  fuch  long  continuance,  ar^d  to  ncgkd  sny  ciher  Jifc  bi:t  this  ? 
This  probably  co;iirib'jtcd  grcat!y  to  the  wiV.kcdncfs  of  the  aDt«- 
dcluvians.     But  now  how  much  greater  motives  have  mea  to  fcek 
redemption,  snd  a  bcJtsr  life  than  this,  by  the  great   kedccmcr, 
fine;  the  life  cf  man  is  net  anc  twclfih  part  of  what  it  ufed  to  be. 
End  men  r.av  univerfaHy  dia  a:  the  sgi  when  men  formerly  ufcd  to 
he   but   21  it  were  fetting  out  in  the  world  ? 

VIII.  The  hmc  work  was  carried  on  in  preferring  that  psoplt* 
of  whoai  Chrift  was  to  come,  from  totally  perilling  in  the  fvilder- 
nefs,  by  a  con'Unt  miracle  of  iirty  years  continuance.  I  cbfcrv- 
cd  before  roary  iirr,«B,  how  God  prcfcrvcd  thofu:  ol  whom  the  Re- 
deemer wsi  to  procrrird  in  a  very  wonderful  manner ;  as  he  prcferved 
NaaJi  and  his  fsnitiv  from  »,he  flood  ;  and  as  he  prcfcrved  Abra. 
hsm,  Ifaac,  arid  Jacob,  with  their  families,  \icm  i.iC  wicked  inha- 
bitants of  Canaan  ;  and  as  he  prcfcrvcd  Jicob  and  his  family  froia 
pcriiiing  bv  the  famine,  by  jofeph  in  Egypt.     But  ihi»  prcferva- 

tion 


^2  AHISTORTof 

Jion  of  the  children  of  Unci  f^r  fo  ^/;ig  a  t'Die  in  the  wildcrncfj, 
V2*j|  on  fome  a6Ct>unt<»  miic  nmu  H.^bl<  than  awy  of  thctn  j  for  it 
was  by  a  continuJ  mi*»clc  of  fo  lon^  duriiion.  fh«ic  nras,  ai 
may  be  fahij  couipulci,  a^  fi  ft  ivvj  o\  liioai  of  fouli  m  that  con- 
gregation, that  coiil  i  not  K  dih  aoy  belter  «Uhou;  meat  and  drink 
ibaa  oJh^r  men.  Bu£  ii  (his  had  been  with  l4ld,  they  muft  all  bavt 
pe-'flicr  i.  every  ci^n,  woman,  and  chilJ,  in  lefs  t.uD  one  month's 
tim«,  fo  thcr* vrauk4  not  have  b~«n  one  of  ihtui  ic^t.  iiui  y tt  ihiJ 
Vi^ft  miiUiiudc  fubii:'icd  for  forty  years  tcgttUr,  in  '  a  tjfy  barrca 
wilderjicfs,  witkout  fowing  or  rciping,  or  uVi^g  <ny  iarci,  having 
?heir  bffa<i  daily  raiacd  down  to  tbtm  out  of  hcavca,  aiid  being 
furnifhcd  with  wtttr  to  faiiify  them  aiJ,  out  of  a  rock  ;  and  tl  c 
iimz  clo8{hi  with  which  ihcy  caiTic  cu?  of  Egypt,  Uftin^,  without 
weafiog  out  all  lhj;l:  ticns,  Never  hsj  any  inftanct  iikt  tfcis,  of  a 
nation  beirg  fo  upheld  for  fo  long  a  lioic  rogeil'.cr,  Itui  God 
upheld  hia  ch;.rch  by  a  coad.iui]  iiiiisoU,  and  kept  ative  that  people 
ia  whom  was  the  bkffin^j,  th«  piomifed  f<j«,d,  &nd  great  KcdctrEcr 
of  (the  wfcflJ. 

IX.  God  wit  pier  a  fed,  in  this  tia^s  of  she  children  of  hcaeV* 
fccing  in  the  wiljcracfs,  to  give  a  further  ieveUtion  of  Chrift  ih© 
Kcdcemer  in  th-:  prcdi<t:l£oa3  oi  hiin,  than  had  been  before.  H^rc 
arc  three  prophecies  given  at  thic  tJme  ih-«t  I  would  take  noi.cc  of. 
Tke  fi:ft  ii  that  of  BalaiSi,  Nua-.b  xxiv.  17.  jS.  19.  **  I  1> ail  fee 
b;m,  but  not  now  ;  I  fhaii  behold  him»  but  not  nigh  :  There  tball 
cot»c  a  Star  out  of  Jacr  b,  dvA  a  S-f  pTc  iliall  rife  eiil  of  luael,  and 
fiisii  ftnlte  {be  rorntrso*  Moab.ao*  ccftroy  a^ltH«  chiinrtn  or  Sheth. 
And  fcJocn  ih-ill  be  a  p  ITc  Tion,  Stir  aifo  fiviU  be  a  pofiifHofl  for 
^iscnrmics,  and  l(:s.t)  (lull  do  vilianily.  Out  of  Jacob  Itali  cc-jie 
fc«  that  (hail  have  liomln ion.  and  (liaU  deftroy  him  thai  rcmalnfll) 
ol  the  city."  This  i»  a  pi^incrp-ophecy  of  Chriiit,  efp;cia!iy 
wiih  regard  to  his  Icirj^y  (fficc,  than  any  that  had  been  before. 
Eiit  wc  have  accthcr,  ihaJ  God  £?ve  byMoAts,  that  is  phinrr  f^ill, 
cfptcUlIy  wiih  regard  to  hs»  prcpbctical  ot^:cc,  in  L>ut.  xviii»  18, 
&c,  '*  1  will  riif'«  up  a  p:opr.et  ftcm  atr.cng  their  brethren,  like 
thee,  and  will  pj?  my  words  iijto  his  mouth,  and  he  Ihail  fpcifc 
unto  thsm  all  that  I  cofntn^nd  him,"  &c.  This  is  t  pi&incr  pro- 
phecy of  ChrlA  than  sny  tha»  had  been  It  ford,  in  this  rcfpe^l,  that 
al!  the  prcpij'^cics  that  had  bc«n  before  oi  Chrii^,  were  in  Hj^uratire 
myf^ical  langnagc.  The  f^rft  prophf  cy  was  fo,  Tr^at  the  feed  of 
the  wcraan  fl.ould  bruise  the  ferpen*:'s  head.  The  procnifes  Oidt 
to  Abraham,  luac,  and  Jacob,  "That  in  ihcir  feed  ail  the  families 
of  the  earth  Qiouldbe  blefT-id/'  were  alfo  iryftical  ;  wh'ch  prophecy 
is  not  fo  pariicubr,  becaufc  the  cxprc:Kon,  thy  feed,  is  gcne^ril, 
and  not  phinlv  iic^i^ed  to  anr  ps.'iic  ihr  pe^fon.  The  p  ophecy 
of  Jacob  ia  bU/Iag  JudiSj,  Geo,  xiis.  8,  u  m  myAical  lancuage  ; 


.     the  Wc-k  of    REDEMPTION.  63 

st'6  fo  h  that  o^  B»l?3tn,  which  fpcaks  of  Chrift  unf?er  the  fgi- 
raiivc  exprellion  of  i/far.  But  this  is  a  plain  prophecy,  wiii.out 
being  vd.Ud  in  my  rivlical  laeguage  at   4(11. 

1.'  ere  aic  ftverai  thing*  cont:iined  in  this  prophcry  of  Chrifl. 
Here  i»  hi"  nn -rita'orial  cffc-  ;d  j»».ntrr»l,  vcr.  16.  Here  it  is  rc- 
Ycalc!  how  h:.  <h  juM  he  a  ptrTod  to  ftsDfi  bfiween  tl.em  and  0:-td, 
that  v»a«  f>  terrible  a  being,  a  being  of  fuch  aw^ul  m«je<l:y,  holinefj, 
snd  ju^fic«,  th-t  they  could  not  h?.ve  come  to  him,  and  h-'ve  intcr- 
courfe  with  hioi  inorncdiatclv,  wirbout  a  mt^iiator  to  f)  nd  bclwcca 
them  ;  bec^jfe,  i-  ihev  csmc  to  fuch  a  r?rr»d^ul  fia-rcveogitg  God 
imrnc^i'Jtely,  they  fhwU'd  di«  ;  God  'voulo  pr/^ve  a  eonfumirg  tif« 
to  rh'«^.  Aai  then  here  is  a  paitic  slar  revelation  of  Chrift  wiih 
rcfpc^  to  his  prophctJC*!  cfFice  :  **  I  vvill  raifa  ih^ m  up  a  prophet 
from  anoopg  thci  brethren,  l<kc  unto  tbee,"  ^q.  Furihtr,  it  is  re- 
vealed wh^r  kind  of  a  prophet  he  fliould  be,  a  pr(  phellike  A^-fei, 
vi'ho  was  the  bc^d  and  le^ider  of  ail  the  peopis-,  arid  v^ho.  urdcr 
God,  had  been  their  redeemer,  to  brirp  them  cut  of  the  hcufe  of 
bond?g'.,  was  as  It  w«rc  their  ibephciid  by  Whorr>  God  ltd  tfccca 
through  the  Red  fca  and  wiK-e.'nefs,  ind  was  an  interc-ilT^.r /or  ihem 
with  Grd,  and  was  both  a  prophet  and  a  kii  g  in  the  coDgreg^iion  ; 
for  Mofci  hid  the  power  of  a  king  smo  g  them  h  ii  f«ld  of  hier, 
Deut.  xxxiii.  5.  he  wai  king  ;n  J.idiurun,  and  be  wij  the  prophet 
by  wkom  God  as  it  were  built  up  hii  church,  and  cJclirered  h*i  ia- 
ftrtjftions  of  worO^ip.  Thus  Chrift  was  tc  be  a  proprtt  like  unto 
?^ofei  J  fo  that  this  is  both  the  phineft  andfulJe/^  prophecy  of  Chrlft 
that  ever  had  been  from  the  beg'nnlrg  of  the  woild  to  this  time* 

The  next  prophecy  that  I  fhill  take  notice  of,  rcfpc^i  only  the 
calling  of  the  Gentiles,  whsch  (lould  be  sfter  Chrift'j  comfng,  of 
which  God  gave  a  very  plain  prop^eey  by  Mofci  in  iha  wlldeincfr, 
Deut,  xxxii.  1 1.  Here  is  a  very  plain  prophecy  of  tha  rejeftion  of 
tht  Jews  and  calling  the  Gentiles.  Thry  moved  G.d  fc  je  loufy, 
by  that  which  was  not  a  god,  hy  calling  him  off,  and  taking  other 
gods,  that  were  no  gods,  in  h's  ronm.  So  God  declarei  that  h« 
wiil  move  them  to  jcaloufy  ia  tre  like  manner,  by  c^fiing  th'^m  off, 
and  taking  other  people,  that  had  not  been  his  j- eople,  in  their 
room.  The  Apoflle  Paul  i-^kt  rctlce  of  thh  p'cphccy,  ss  fore- 
telling the  callingof 'heG-n  Hes,  ^  Rom  x  19  20  *'  But  1  hy, 
DiJ  not  Ifrael  know  ?  **  F'H,  Mofcs  faith,  1  wilt  provoke  you 
to  jealcufy  by  them  ih^t  arc  no  p^.ople,  and  by  i  foo^ifh  nation  I 
will  atger  you.  But  Euis*.  is  very  Wold,  and  f^Iih,  I  was  fo«'r»d 
•f  khem  that  fouj;ht  me  not  ;  I  was  mide  manifcl}  to  them  thai 
ailcad  Mot  after  me  " 

Thus  you  fee  how  the  light  of  the  pofpe\  i»hich  firft  brjjan  t« 
^awn  and  glimmer  im^r  Jiaitc'y  a^-r  th«  (-11,  graduaUy  increalei 

Ike  c-earcc  we  ccaie  to  Chrift'a  tloae* 

X 


l4  AHlSTORTol 

X.  Another  thing  by  which  God  carried  on  this  work  ii  thli 
lime,  W21  a  rcmxikablc  pouring  out  of  his  fpirit  on  the  ycurg 
generation  in  the  wildemcfs.  The  generation  that  vras  grown  i  p 
when  they  came  cut  of  Egypt,  from  twenty  years  old  and  upward, 
was  a  very  fro»vard  and  pervcrft. generation.  They  were  tainted 
with  the  idchiry  and  wrickcdnefs  of  E-gypt,  and  vs-trc  not  wesncd 
from  it,  as  the  Prophet  Ezekiel  takts  noiicc,  E/.tk.  xx.  6.  7.  8. 
HcGcc  ihcy  made  ihe  golden  calf  in  itnitation  of  the  idolstry  of 
Egypt,  that  vras  %yont  to  vrorfl-.jp  a  boi!  or  "an  ex  ;  and  therefore 
cslilc  are  called  the  ahsmination  of  ihe  Egyftiani,  i.  e.  their  irjol. 
This  generation  God  was  exceeding  angry  with,  and  fwore  in  his 
wrath,  that  they  fhould  net  enter  into  hii  reft.  But  the  younger 
gtnemtlon  were  not  fo  ;  the  gcnsration  that  wert  under  iv*cnty 
y«ais  old  when  they  csact  cut  of  Ei;ypt,  and  ihofj  that  were  bcrn 
in  the  wildernefs,  the  gencraiion  fpoken  of  Nuaib.  xi-r.  31.  "fJLt 
your  little  ones,  whom  )'e  fald  (houid  be  a  prty,  them  vvili  I  bring 
in  ;  and  ihcy  (hall  know  the  had  tbat  ye  have  dcfpif-d."  Tni« 
was  the  generation  with  whom  ihe  ccvenani  was  renewed,  as  v  t 
have  an  account  in  Dcutcrcnoaiy,  and  that  entered  into  the  land  oi 
Canaan.  This  gcnervtion  God  was  pleafed  to  mikt  a  gtseration 
to  his  prai/c,  and  ihcy  were  cmintnt  for  piety  ;  as  appears  by  many 
ihings  faid  in  fcripture  about  thcra  ;  as,  pjirticuUriy,  Jcr.  ii.2.  3. 
*•  I  remember  thee,  the  kindncfs  of  thy  youth,  the  love  of  thine 
tfpoufals,  when  thou  wcnteit  afscr  me  in  the  uitderneis,  in  a  UtA 
that  was  not  fow*.  Ifrael  was  holinefs  to  the  Lord,  a<ad  the  firf% 
fruit*  of  his  in«rcafe."  Here  the  generation  that  wsni  after  God 
in  the  wildcrnefi  is  fpokei  of  with  very  high  cornar;cadatijns,  as 
eminent  for  hoHaefs  :  Ifrael  was  holinefs  to  theLord,  and  the  firfl 
fruits  of  hia  incrcafe,  Tb^ir  love  to  God  h  fpciren  of  as  diftin- 
guiflied  like  the  love  of  a  bride  at  her  cfpoufals.  The  join^  aftcrGoi 
in  the  wilderncfs  that  is  Kcrc  fpoken  of,  is  not  the  going  cf  th« 
children  cf  Ifrael  out  of  Egypt  into  the  wUdemcf*  of  Sinai,  bus 
their  following  God  through  that  dftadfui  wildeincfs,  that  the 
eongregstioa  long  wanderei  in,  after  they  went  back  fromKadcdj- 
Barnea,  which  is  fpoken  of,  D:ut.  viii.  i  j.  **  Who  led  thee  thro* 
the  great  and  terrible  wildeniefs,  wherein  were  fiery  ferpcnts  and 
fcorpioni,  and  drought,  where  there  r^^as  no  water."  Though  this 
generation  had  a  mych  greater  trial,  thin  the  generation  of  their 
fathers  had  before  they  came  to  Kadcfla  Bar«ea,  yet  they  never 
mufmurcd  againft  God  In  any  wife,  as  their  faihcrs  had  done  :  But 
their  trials  bad  a  contrary  cffc6l  upon  them,  to  awkkcn  them, 
convince,  and  humble  ih^m,  and  fit  ihetn  for  great  mercy.  They 
were  awakened  by  thofe  awful  judgments  of  Goi  that  he  i^.flic^ed 
on  their  fathers,  whereby  their  carcafTwi  fell  in  the  wildcrocfs, 
Aad  Qui  poured  out  his  fpirii  with  itofc  awaicning  providencct 

tovai  d» 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  6> 

toward!  their  falters,  and  lb«lr  own  travel  in  ihc  wlldcmefi,  and 
ihc  word  preached  to  lh<ai  by  Mofes  ;  hereby  they  wci^~grc4ily 
awakened,  and  made  to  fee  the  badncfs  of  their  own  hearts,  and 
were  humbled, ind  at  length  multitude!  of  them  favingly  converted  ; 
18  Deut.  viii.  23."  And  thou  ^dt  remember  the  way  which  the 
Lord  th)God  Ic4  thee  thefc  forty  years  in  the  wildcinefs,to  humble 
thee  and  to  prove  thee,  and  to  kaow  what  wai  thine  hearty 
whether  thou  wouldfl  keep  hi>  commaQdmentJ,  or  no.  And 
he  humbled  thee,  &:c.  And,  verfe  15.  ««  Who  led  thee  through 
that  great  and  terrible  wilderncf*.— ihat  he  might  humble  thee, 
and  that  he  might  p.ov*  thee,  to  do  thee  good  at  thy  latter  end.'* 
And  therefore  it  ii  faid,  Hof.  xiii.  f .  *•  I  did  know  ihc«  in  the 
nildernefs,  ia  the  land  of  great  drought."  God  allured  them,  and 
brought  them  into  that  wilderncfs,  and  fpake  comfortably  to  thema 
as  it  was  foretold  that  he  would  do  afterwards,  Hof.  ii.  14. 

T^ofe  terrible  judgements  that  were  executed  in  the  congregatioa 
after  their  turning  back  from  K^deih  Birnea,  in  the  maiter  of 
K )  ah,  and  the  maucr  of  Pcor,  were  chiefly  on  the  old  generation* 
whom  Gil  confu«i«d  Ita  the  wilderncfs.  Thofe  rebellions  were 
chiefly  among  the  elders  tf  ihc  congregation,  who  were  of  the  oMer 
generatio.'i,  that  God  bad  ^iven  up  to  their  hearts  luA  ;  and  ihey 
walked  in  their  own  counfeU.  and  God  was  grieved  with  their 
manners  forty  years  ia   the  wil^rnefs. 

But  that  this  younger  congregat'on  ware  cinment  for  piety, 
appears  by  all  their  hiftory.  The  fornj^r  generation  were  wicked^ 
and  were  fo' lowed  with  cu<fes  ;  but  this  was  holy,  and  wonderful 
blelTingi  followed  them.  God  did  great  thin^^  for  them ;  he  fonfl^^ 
for  them,  and  gave  ihtm  the  poflclTion  of  Canaan.  And  it  is  God's 
manner,  when  he  haih  vety  great  mercits  to  beftow  on  a  vifible  peo- 
ple, liffl  to  fit  them  for  them,  and  then  to  bcftow  them  on  them/ 
8  J  it  was  here  :  They  believed  in  God, and  by  faith  ovcrcameSihon 
and  Og,  and  the  giants  of  Canaan  ;  and  are  ccaDmendefii  for  cleav- 
ing unto  the  Lord  :  J  .(h.  xaiii.  8  joftua  fays  unto  them,  *'  Cleave 
unto  the  Lord,  as  ye  have  done  unto  this  day."  Afld  fo  Ifrael  did  ail 
the  while  that  generation  lived.  But  whcnjoftiua  and  all  that  gene- 
ration were  dead,  there  arofe  another  gcncrki/on  that  knew  not  th« 
Lord.  This  pious  generation  fliowed  a  laudable  and  fervent  zsal 
for  God  on  fsvcral  occafions ;  on  occafion  of  Achan's  fin  ;  but  cf- 
pecially  when  they  fufpeded  the  two  tribes  and  a  bali  had  fet  up 
an  altar  in  oppofition  to  the  altar  of  burnt- off: ring.  There  never 
was  any  generation  of  Ifrael  that  fo  much  good  and  fo  little  evil 
is  mentioaed  of,  as  this  generation.  It  is  further  obfcrvtable,  that 
in  the  time  of  this  generation  was  the  fccoad  general  citcumcifion, 
whereby  the  rcp'-oach  of  Ifrael  was-  fully  rolled  away,  and  they 
betame  pure  ;  and  when  after waids  lb«y  were  poUuUd  by  Achao, 
ibfy  purged  thfmfeUcs  again j  H  ?fc* 


Js6  A    H  I  5  T  O  R  Y    of 

Ti\c  men  of  the  former  genrration  being  dead,  and  God  haTirg 
f4n^[^^  this  younger  generation  to  himfeif,  he  foleronly  renewed 
his  cJiPiant  with  them,  as  we  have  a  particular  ;iCcounl  in  the  29th 
chapter  0/  D:utcronomy.  We  fiid  that  fuch  folemn  renov&iicnt 
of  the  covenant  commonly  acccmpAnied  any  remarkable  pcurirg 
out  of  the  Spirit,  caufing  a  general  reforoiiition  i  Sa  wc  find  it  was 
in  Hczirkiah's  and  Jofiah's  timei.  It  ii  qurdionsble  whether  there 
ever  was  a  time  of  fo  great  a  flourifliiog  of  r6]fgion  in  the  Ifraelinfh 
church,  us  in  that  generation  :  and  ai,  in  the  ChriAian  church, 
religion  was  in  its  moft  flouriihing  circumdances  in  the  day  of  itt 
efpoufals,  or  fii  fi  fctting  up  of  that  c''u  ch,  in  the  days  of  the 
apoftUs,  fo  It  feems  to  have  bean  with  the  Jcwifh  church  in  the 
days  of  its  fi  ft  cflsbllfhmcr.t  in  Mofts'i  and  JofKua's  times. 

TiiusGod  at  this  time  did  glori«uily  advance  the  wcrkof  rccfenp* 
tion,  both  by  his  word  and  Spirit.  By  this  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit 
of  Gjd,  the  work  of  redemption  wiS  promoted,  not  only  as  it  wa§ 
!n  itfclf  a  glorious  inftance  of  the  carrying  on  of  that  rcdcmprion  in 
the  appllcauon  of  it,  but  as  this  was  what  God  made  ufc  of  as  a 
means  of  the  good  and  orderly  cf>ablifliment<>f  the  church  ©f  Ifrael 
at  its  firft  beginning,  when  It  was  fir  ft  fet>^«d  ia  tiie  regular  obfer- 
Vance  of  God's  ordinacees  in  Canaan  :  Kven  ai  the  pouring  ott  of 
the  Spirit,  in  the  beginning  of  the  CAriftian  church,  wss  a  great 
means  God  made  ufe  of  for  thr  well  eftsblifhing  ike  Cbri/tiaa 
chu'ch  ii  the  world  in  all  furtJeedlng   ages. 

XI.  Tae  ncit  thing  I  w^JiJld  obferve,  is  God's  bringiiBg  the 
people  of  Ifrael  under  ifceiiand  cf  Jcfbua,  and  fettling  them  in  that 
land  ft'here  Chrift  was  *^  ^*  born,  iid  which  was  the  great  type  of 
**^  *»*ivcnly  Canaay*  which  Chrlft  has  purchafed.  This  was  done 
by  Jjfhua,  who  vty%  of  Jofeph's  pofterity,  and  was  aai  eminent  t^pe 
of  Chrrft,  and  is  therefore  called  the  (hepherd,  the  flone  of  Ifrael* 
in  Jacob's  blefling  of  Jjfcph,  Gca.  xlix.  14.  Being  fuch  aiype  o^ 
ChriA,  he  bore  the  name  ofChrift.  Jcjhua,  tn^Jifm  are  the 
fame  name,  only  the  one  is  Hebrew,  the  oiher  ii  Greek:  And 
therefore,  in  thn  New  Tcf^amcnt,  which  was  originally  written  in 
G  eek,  J..(hua  is  tailed  Jefus,  A^s  vii.  4;.  ••  Which  alfo  our 
fathers  brought  in  \*ith  Jefus,"  /.r.  Jcihua  ;  Heb.  iv.  8.  Ifjefui 
kad  given  them  ref^,  Vc  would  not  have  fpoken  of  another  day  ;'* 
i.  t.  if  J-fhua  had  givtn  them  rcfl, 

God  wonderfully  pofTeflcd  his  people  of  this  find,  coDqiicri». 
the  former  inhabitants  of  k,  and  the  mighty  giasits,  as  Cbrill  con- 
e[uering  the  devil ;  firft  coftqueriug  the  great  kings  of  that  pan  of 
the  land  thu  was  on  the  eaftern  fide  of  Jordan,  Sihon  king  of  th« 
Amorites,  and  Og  king  of  B^flxin  ;  and  then  dividing  the  river 
Jjrdan,  as  before  he  had  done  the  Red  fee  ;  cauficg  the  walti  of 
J;ri€ho  to  fall  dovfQ  ^^  ()}c  foufid  gf  ibc  tnioipt ti  of  the  priefti ; 

tka 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION.  6y 

ehat  found  typifying  the  found  of  the  gofpcl  by  the  preajjjing  of 
gofpel-ioiniftfri,  ihc  wilU  of  the  iccurkd  oiy  Jcntho  fignilyiDg 
tbe  walU  of  8«Ua'r  kingdom  ;  and«fier  ihii  woodci fully  dcltroyicf 
the  mljhfy  hoft  of  iheAaioriice  isndcr  the  Atc  kings,  caufii-g  ihc  fua 
and  moott  (»  ftand  P.ill,  tu  help  the  people  agiinft  ihcir  cncmief^ 
at  the  prayer  of  the  typical  Jcfus ;  plsiaiy  holding  this  forth,  that 
G:f4  would  niike  the  whole  coutfe  of  nature  to  be  fubfervient  to  the 
affair  of  (edeoijiioo  ;  fo  thai  every  tbiag  iVtOuId  yield  to  the  pur- 
pofei  of  that  woik,  asd  give  pUctt  to  tbc  welfare  oi  God'tt  tcdcea- 
cd  people. 

Tbus  did  Chrift  (how  hij  great  love  to  hia  cU^,  that  he  wouW 
make  the  courfc  of  natuie,  ia  the  fraune  of  tho  worli,  that  Le  had 
giaat,  arid  that  he  govcrnec^,  to  give  place  to  their  happinefs  ai?d 
profperity  ;  acd  ihowed  that  the  fun  and  moon,  and  all  things^ 
vKible  aad  irviAble,  were  theirs  by  his  pucchafe.  At  the  hm^ 
tifBC,  Chrii^  foughi  at  the  Ciptain  of  their  IqH,  md  c*f\  dotva 
great  b«iIf^ones  upon  ihcii  th«.i:-ics,  by  which  more  wne  fl<in 
than  by  the  fword  of  the  children  of  IfraeK  AiUf  this  Chrift 
gave  the  people  a  mighty  viftory  cv^r  a  yet  grcoi*r  arnn.y  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  land,  that  were  gathered  together  at  the  wattrt 
of  MerouQ,   as  the  fand  of  the  fca  &ore,  as  it  it  f^id  J.  Qi  xl  4, 

Thuk  God  give  the  people  wh«ncc  Chcift  was  to  proceed,  the  ixnd 
where  he  was  to  be  born,  and  Vive,  ^nd  prea*!:^  :r^  i^-orkmiraelca, 
tod  die,  aad  rife  again,  wh«»icc  he  was  to  afcend  into  hca.rn,  ?s  the 
Umd  which  wai  a  great  type  of  heavca  :  Which  h  another  thing 
whereby  a  great  advance  wa$  m^de  in  the  afftir  of  rcdcmpiion* 

XII*  Another  thing  that  God  did  low-rds  eanyin  j  on  this  affair* 
was  his  adually  letting  vp  lU  ftalcd  worlbip  atoeng  iht:  people,  as 
it  had  been  before  inrt;tut«d  in  the  wildcrnv:f$.  Th:«  wofiiip  was 
appointed  at  Moynt-Sinai,  wholly  ia  fuburvlency  to  thia  great 
pfTairofr^iennption.  It  was  to  rnikc  wzyhi  ibr  cominj  ofChriri; 
ar.d  the  innumerable  cerenaonixl  cbfervnticss  of  it  were  typical  oi 
llim  and  hit  redemption.  Tc^ii  vro.Tnip  was  el.icfjv  irjiiiutcd  at 
Mount  Sinii;  but  ic  was  gradually  fct  up  in  prc^dic-.  It  w:ts  partly 
let  upin  the  wildsrntfs,  were  ih^  tibc  riac^c  ani  its  vcffc's  were 
»ide  ;  but  there  were  many  paits  of  their  infii'.utcd  worihip  that 
•ould  not  b<  obfetrcd  in  the  wildcni»fs,Ly  re^fcn  of  their  unfcrilcd, 
itinerant  tiielfcc/e  :  and  tlicn  there  \rcic  many  p::ccpi»  ib^^t  re- 
fpcO  the  hi»d  oi  C?nasn,  an-i  iheir  ciiivfi  and  placn  of  hsbitat'ca 
Ihtre  :  which  tLcr«;fore  could  rot  be  p:;t  in  pr?c1icc,  till  ihcv  c^mc 
{ato  that  lard.  But  now,  whta  ihii  wsk  btou^hi  to  pafs,  God  fct 
•p  his  tabeinr-clf  in  rh;  mid(\  ot  Itii  peop!c,  a:  he  hfA  tefo.e  pro- 
mifedihem,Lcv.7:xv?.  ii.««I  will  fct  up  my  t.-bcrnadjamong  vou" 
The  t7bcr^?cje  w«  fet  I'D  si  Snilr  h.  Jo(h.  xviii.  l, :  d  the  pricflg 
«a4  Uviies  had  their  tfficei  appoiaiwd  ihtaa,  and  ih^  cities  o'  ic« 


<S»  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T   of 

fugc  wcrt  appointed  ;  and  now  the  pcop'<  wcrt  In  a  cordU'on  to 
obfprvt  their  feiA»of  ih«  firf^- fruits,  aad  ihcif  fejfls  of  iT.gatherlng 
and  to  bring  all  their  tith«»  and  appointed  c/Tcrings  to  the  Lof4  ; 
«nd  moft  pirts  of  God's  worfhip  were  fcl  up,  Uiough  these  were 
fome  thinjj  that  vrore  not  obfcrve J  ii!l  afterwards. 

X[II.  The  next  thing  1  would  taka  notice  of,  wai  God*i  .won- 
dtfrfuUy  prcfcrving  that  p^»plc,  from  this  time  forward,  whe^i  all 
the  ma?«»  went  up,  three  limes  Vn  the  year,  to  iht  phcc  rtrcrc  God't 
■ik  ffas.  Tnc  people  of  lf<-ael  were  gcacrally  furraundcd  wiih 
enfmie»,  that  fouj^hi  all  opportunities  to  dcAroy  ihcm,  and  di^pof- 
fefi  them  of  their  land;  and  till  D.rid'atimc  there  vvcrc  great  nutai- 
berd  ia  tfee  land  of  the  csiisn?  of  the  Canaaaitc<,  and  the  other 
former  inh^bJtanti  of  the  land!,  that  were  bitter  CDw-jiiei  to  the  peo- 
p!^e"of  Ifracl  ;  and  thefe  had  from  year  to  year,  three  tisr.ca  in  the 
year,  a  fair  opportunity  of  over- running  their  country,  and  i,eutng 
polTefTion  of  their  cfites,  when  all  the  m^Us  were  gone,  «nd  only 
the  wroiaen,  and  thofc  who  wc'c  not  irble  to  go  up,  were  left  bc^ 
hind.  Yet  they  witt  rciaxrksibly  prcfcrvcd  througho^it  all  gene- 
rations at  fuch  ftuifons,  agreeable  to  Jhc  prqmife  that  God  hadmad^ 
Exo'i.  xxxiv  24.  *♦  Neither  fhaU  any  man  dcfire  thy  had,  when 
thou  fltilt  go  up  to  appear  bsforc  chc  Lord  thy  God  thrice  in  thtt 
year,"  So  woaderfuily  did  God  ord?r  aiTiirs,  and  lEflueace  the 
bearts  of  their  ecemies,  thai  though  tb^y  »ci«  fo  full  of  enmity 
sgainft  Ifrael,  and  defircd  to  difpoiTsfs  ihctn  of  iheit  !and»  and  hid 
fo  fair  an  opportunity  fo  often  in  their  hand?,  that  the  whole  coun- 
try wai  Icfi  naked  andcanpty  of  all  that  conld  rcfift  them,  and  it 
would  have  been  only  for  theaa  to  have  gone  atid  taken  pclTefirion, 
and  they  cou  .1  have  had  it  without  oppclition,  and  they  were  fo 
eager  to  take  other  cpportunitie«  agaluft  them  j  yet  we  never  read, 
in  all  their  hiftory,  of  any  of  their  enciaies  taking  thtfe  oppor- 
tunJtic*  againA  t^xm  :  which  could  be  no  kfs  tban  a  continual 
miracle,  that  God,  for  the  profetv^tion  of  his  church,  kept  up  for 
fo  mnny  generations,  even  throughout  the  ages  of  the  Old  Tef* 
tacnent.  it  wai  fuiely  »  wTider/ul  dlfpenfation  of  diviae  provi- 
dent r  to  mu'ntnin  and  p'mott  God's  great  tJtiign  of  redemption. 

XIV,  God'i  prefervijg  hit  church  and  the  true  religion  from 
being  wnol'y  extihft  in  iht  fre  ,uent  apoft  ific«  of  the  Ifraelite*  ia 
the  time  of  the  judj^ei.  How  pfone  wai  th-,t  people  to  forfake  the 
true  Q^d,  that  had  dene  fuch  wonderful  t  ii.g»  for  them,  and  t3 
fall  infO  idolatry  !  an4  ho^r  lid  the  Ian*,  ^rom  ticne  to  lime,  fcem 
CO  be  tlmofl  over  run  w  ih  idolatry  1  Rut  yet  God  never  ftifcred 
tiis  true  woiihip  to  be  tota'!y  rooted  i;u'  :  ^  is  twbein^c'ic  ftood,  the  ! 
ark  was  prcferved,  the  hock  of  th^  l«w  *-3«  k'-pt  Ivm  being  def- 
troyed,  G^d's  prie^hood  was  upheld,  an:.  God  f>i^J  bed  a  church 
pmong  iht  people  j  lad  xm%  after  im^p  wttii  itli^ioa  fcemtd  to  j 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  I  M  P  T  I  0  N.  6f 

be  ilmoft  gone,  and  it  wai  come  to  the  laft  (xttemity,  thei  God 
granted  a  reTiv^},  and  fent  fomc  2n|el  or  prophet,  or  raifcd  up 
fotne  emineat  pcrf  jn,  to  be  an  inft  umcnl  of  their  rsformation. 

XV.  God's  prel'ervinp,  that  nation  from  being  deftroycd,  and 
dclivf ring  them  from  time  to  lime,  alihcugh  they  were  fo  ofte» 
f'ibiued  and  brought  under  the  dominion  of  iheir  enemief.  It  ia  a 
wonder,  not  only  that  the  true  religion  wai  not  wholly  rooted  our, 
and  fo  the  church  dcAroyed  that  way  ;  but  alfo  that  the  very  na- 
tion In  which  that  church  wa«,  was  not  utterly  dcftroycd  ;  they 
were  fo  ofien  brought  under  the  power  of  their  encmici.  Ont 
while  they  were  fubducdbyCbufh-arilhatsim  king  of  Mefopoia- 
alia,  another  while  ihey  were  brought  under 'the  Moabites  j  and 
then  thty  -were  fold  into  the  hand  oi  Jibin  k»ng  of  Canaan  ;  and 
then  they  were  under  the  dominion  of  the  Midianitci  ;  and  then 
Wf  re  forcly  diftrcffcd  by  the  children  of  Ammon  ;  and  then  by  the 
Philii^iaf  5.  But  yet  God,  in  all  thefe  dangers,  prcfcrved  ihem, 
and  k:pt  thcKi  from  being  wholly  overchrowa  :  and  from  time  to 
time,  wh«i  it  was  come  to  extremity,  and  GoA  faw  that  they  were 
upon  the  very  brink  of  ruin,  then  God  raifcd  up  a  deliverer,  a- 
greeabU  to  Deur.  xKxii,  36.  **  For  the  Lord  flisH  judge  his  pco* 
pie,  and  repent  himfelf  for  his  fervants  j  when  he  fecth  their 
pcwer  is  gone,  and  there  is  none  (hut   up  or  left." 

Thofe  remarkable  dcfpsnfaiions  of  Providence  are  very  Hvelily 
and  elegantly  fet  forth  by  the  FfalmifV,  Pfal.  cvi,  34.  &c. 

Thife  deliverers  that  God  raifcd  up  from  tiise  to  time  were  all 
typ«  cfChri.'^,  the  great  redeemer  and  deliverer  of  his  church; 
tnd  fomc  of  them  very  remarkably  fo  ;  as,  particularly,  Barak, 
Jfphthah,  Gideon,  and  Simfon,  in  very  mary  particulars  ;  and 
above  ali  in  the  a^s  of  Saofon,  as  might  be  fhown,  were  it  not 
that  this  would  take  up  too  much  tlme« 

XVI.  It  h  obfervablc,  that  when  Chrif^  appeared  to  tcarage  the 
affairs  of  his  church  in  this  period,  be  often  appeared  in  »he  fojm 
of  that  nature  that  he  took  upon  him  in  his  iacarnalion.  So  h« 
fcemj  to  have  appeared  toMofes  from  time  totitne,and  par::«u!arly 
at  that  time  when  God  fpake  to  him  face  to  face,  as  1  man  fpeak- 
eth  to  his  friend,  andhs  beheld  the  fii-nilitudc  of  the  Lord  (N-mb, 
xii;  8.),  afier  he  ^.A  befoughl  him  to  ihow  him  }  is  glory  ;  which 
was  the  moft  remarkable  vi/ion  that  ever  le  had  of  Chfift.  T;*er« 
was  a  twofold  difcovery  that  Mofcs  hid  of  Cbrift  :  one  was  fpirf- 
tual,  made  to  his  mind,  hy  the  word  thit  wjs  prcclilmcd,  when  ht 
proclaimed  his  name,  faying,  "  The  Lord,  the  Lord  God,  merciful 
and  gracious,  long  fufferir.g,  and  ibur.dsni  in  goocnefs  ard  truth, 
keeping  mercy  for  ihouf-jncs,  fo. giving  iaiqaity  and  tranfgrcfrioa 
and  fifi,  and  ih?t  willby  no  means  clr-,r  the  guilty  ;  vlfiJing  the 
iniquity  gf  itcUtUx*  upoE  the   children,  akd  wpoa  the  children! 

diildfca 


7*  AHISTORTof 

ehiIdrcn,unto  the  third  and  to  the  foctrth  gcr.crstion,"  K»cd.  xxx?r. 
6  4cs.  Another  was  external;  wMch  wssf^ai  whichiMofcsfaw^whciji 
Chrift  pafigd  by,  and  put  him  in  a  cich  of  ihc  rock,  and  eovcr cd 
bim  writh  bis  hand,  fo  ihsi  Mofrsfiwrbb  back-parw.  Wh<ii  he 
{iw  was  doubilcfi  the  b^ck-pifts  of  a  gWioushuojan  form, in  which 
Chrirt  appcircd  io  him,an-J  in  ail  Hkc^.ooi  she  foim  cf  his  gJorifitd 
human  naiure,  in  which  he  Ihouli  a*ier\vird8  3ppc«r,  H.:  faw  nci 
bis  face  ;  for  V:  :.'  not  to  b«  fiippoicd  thai  any  oiAn  couJd  Jul^/i.!  uo- 
dcr  a  fight  of  ihe  jjlcry  cf  ChriA's  human  na«urc  is  it  notr  appetri. 

So  it  was  an  hum  iu  io'-in  in  whichChrifi  appeared  to  ibt  (evenly 
ciders,  of  which  we  have  ar*  sccoumt  Exod.xjciy.9  10.  ji.  "Then 
went  up  Mjfe>  and  Avon,  Nid.ob  and  Abihu,  and  feveniy  of  the 
elders  of  Ifiael  And  they  fiw  thcGod  of  Ifrael :  and  there  was  un- 
der cih  feet,  35  li  v/crca  psved  work  of  a  fipphirc-flone,  and  as  it 
were  the  body  of !  e&ven  in  hti  clcarncfs.  Aad  upon  the'  nobles  of 
jhc  chiidfc:  of  Ifracl  hs  laid  not  his  hand  :  alfo  they  faw  God, 
and  did  cat  and  drink."  Sj  Chrjft  appeared  afterwards  to  J  Ihua 
ia  the  for-n  of  the  hviam  naturt?,  ]^{h.  v.  13.  14,  "  Asd  it  came 
60  p.ifs  when  J.diui  ivas  by  J-riaho,  he  lift  up  his  cyci,  and  look- 
ed, and  behol.',  tbcre  ftood  a  man  ovir  egahifl  hirr;,  wiih  a  fword 
drawn  in  hU  hand  :  and  Jjlliua  went  unto  him,  and  faid  u»to  him. 
Aft  thou  fc?  us  or  for  our  adrerfarics  ?  Aiid  he  faid  Nf ay,  but 
as  captain  of  th*h'.  A  cf  the  Lord  am  I  now  come-"  A:.d  fo 
he  appeared  to  Gideon,  ]^dg.  vi,  u,  i:c.  and  fo  »lio  to  Manoali 
Jjdg.  ziii.  17.— 21.  Here  Chriil  rppcafcd  to  Mancsh  in  arcpr?» 
fcntavion  both  of  his  ihcar.ution  aad  dcstk  j  of  his  iacarnation, 
in  ihn  he  zppc^rcd  in  a  hi;L.i^n  fcrm  ;  aod  of  hisdtfath  and  fuffcr- 
ings,  rcpr£fc;nt<:J  by  the  facrifice  of  a  Icld,  and  by  h*;'  afcending 
up  in  iht  flimc  of  tLt  r;icritice  ;  ia;ia«ating,  tbit  it  was  he  that  wa« 
the  great  facriHje,  that  muft  be  offered  up  to  God  for  *  fwsct  fa. 
VGur,  in  the  tire  of  Ih  wrath,  at  that  kid  wss  burned  asd  fifceadcd 
up  io  the  flame.  Chrift  thus  appeared,  licae  after  time,  in  the 
form  Of  that  nature  he  was  aftcrwaids  to  take  upon  him  ;  becauft 
he  now  appeared  on  the  fame  dcfign,  and  to  carry,  en  iht  fai^e 
wcrk.thithc  was  toappctv  in  that  nature  to  work  out  and  carry  ©»• 

XVII.  Another  thing  I  would  msniion,  dc%:i  in  this  peiriod  to- 
wards the  work  of  rcdcmptioi,  is  the  beginning  of  a  fuccefF.oa  of 
prophets,  and  tvufiing  a  fchool  of  the  p?cphetj,  in  Samuel's  time* 
T;.e;«  was  fomething  of  this  fplrit  of  prophecy  in  Ifratl  after 
Vlofes,  before  Samue!,  Jclhua  and  many  of  thejudges  had  a  degree 
cfit,  Deborah  was  a  prophclefs  ;  and  feme  of  the  high- pricflt 
wt.rc  Infpired  with  this  fpirit ;  particulaifly  Eii  :  and  that  fpace  of 
time  w  ^s  not  wholly  without  indances  of  ihofe  that  were  fcl  appart 
*f  Goi  efpcclaUy  to  this  office,  and  fo  wt:e  called  prophets.  Such 
«a  oac  vrc  read  of,  Jjdg^  vi,  8.  *'ThcLord  fen?  aporpbet  untoth^ 

shiidrca 


the  Wo,k  of   K  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  H.        .      f  i 

chiWrcD  of  Ifrscl,  Which  fa  id  unto  them/'  Lc.  SucU  an  one  il 
fctoi)  to  h'.ve  been  that  we  le^dof,  I  S^m,  if.  27,  "  and  there 
c^mc  £   m*n  ot  God  .0   E»i,"  &c. 

But  ihcre  w  as  no  fuch  crd'.r  of  cacn  lip^c?d  in  JCcAt^  for  any  con* 
ftaacy,  bcfcic  SjxucJ  ;  the  want  ol  h  is  i.  k*-  i.otict  ol  in  I  Sam* 
iii  1.  *'  And  the  woid  (  f  ibr  Lord  was  prtciou*  in  thofe  dayt  } 
there  was  no  open  vifion,"  But  in  Samuel  iLierc  was  Ligun  a  fuc* 
celfioa  of  prophets,  that  was  maintained  conlif;u-dl!y  item  that 
time,  at  Icart  with  very  little  interruption,  till  this  fpiiit  of  pro* 
phecy  ceafed,  about  MJaehi's  time  :  and  therefore  Samuel  i»  fpok- 
cn  in  the  Nev  Tci^ament  as  the  beginning  of  the  fucc^fUon  of  pro- 
phctf.  A£li  iii.  24  Aad  all  th.^  propheii  from  Sjmuel,  and  ihofc 
that  follow  after,  as  mmy  as  hive  fp^ken,  have  foretold  of  theft 
days."  Aftc:  Samuel  was  Nithan,  and  Gid  and  lido,  and  He- 
man,  and  Afaph,  and  others.  And  afterwards,  in  the  latter  end 
of  Sjlomoa'f  reign,  we  read  of  Ahijah  ;  and  in  J^^roboam  and  Kc- 
boboam's  timcwc  read  of  prophets  ;  and  fo  continually  one  pro- 
phet fuccccdcd  another,  till  the  captivity;  We  read  in  the  wri- 
tings of  thofe  prophets  that  arc  inferred  into  the  caaon  of  the  fcfp- 
turei,  of  prophets  at  being  a  coaflant  order  of  men  upheld  in  the 
land  in  thofc  days  ;^  and  in  the  umt  of  the  captivity  there  were 
prophet  ft  ill,  a^b^zsluel  and  Dmicl  ;  and  after  the  captivity  there 
were  prophets,  a*  Z::charklu  Hig^^i,  an<|  Mslacht. 

Bccaufc  God  iatendscj  a  conftant  fuccefiioo  of  prophets  from 
Samuel's  time,  therefore  in  his  time  was  begun  a  fchool  of  the  pro- 
phets ;  that  is,  a  fchool  of  young  men,  that  weretiained  up  under 
fome  great  prophet,  who  was  their  mafter  and  teacher  in  the  ftudy 
ofdivine  tbiijgs,  and  the  pradice  of  holinefs,  to  fie  ihtm  for  thif 
office  as  God  fhould  call  them  to  it.  Tnofe  yourg  m;n  that  be- 
longed to  thcfc  fchools,  were  chilled  th*  fon$  of  the  prophttt  ;  and 
oftentimes  they  aic  called pr«>/:A#/;.  Tbcfc  at  firft  were  uncc  the 
tuition  of  Samuel.  Thus  we  rc*d  of  SamutiV  being  appointed  ever 
ihem,  I  Sam.xix.  20.  "  And  when  tncy  faW  ihc  company  of 
prophets  prophefying,andSimuei  ftaniirgas  appoir  ted  over  tf  em.'* 
The  company  of  ptcphcfs  th;ii  wi  rc^.d  of  1  Sam  x.  j.  were  the 
fame.  Afterward*  wc  read  of  their  b^ipg  w f^xr  E  (ah.  EIi(hz 
was  one  of  h'»  fon^  ;  bui  he  d^fr-cd  to  hivc  a  double  portion  of  hit 
fpirit,  as  his  fuccrlTor,  n»  his  fiilt  born,  a^  the  el  ic/t  fon  w^i  wonC 
to  have  a  double  po.  .i.  n  u»  lie  cft^fe  of  his  fahcr  ;  and  therefore 
the  foil  of  the  p'^0!)-''-V!»,  wh  .n  ir.cy  pecnveJ  Jh-^r  the  fpiiit  of 
Elijah  reft«d  on  Elifh^.,  fubmJtted  jhea)<  l-^o  to  him,  and  owr.e4 
hia  for  their  mn'tei,  a>  ihcy  b-i'l  done  E.j  b  before  him  ;  a«  yoti 
may  fee,  2  Ki.ifs  li.  ij  *'  And  when  tDc  fons  of  the  prophett 
which  were  to  view  ^t  jrrich),  f^w  hi.-n,  thi^>  f^ii,  T^^e  fpiiit  of 
Elijah  doth  refl  on  bllifba.  And  they  bowed  themfelves  t# 
Ibe  ground  before  him.''  Al(tt 


7t  AHISTORYof 

After  this  E'ifha  was  iheir  mrifter  or  teacher  ;  he  had  tht  care  and 
Jaftru^ion  of  ihtm  ;  as  you  may  fee,  t  Kings  iv,  38.  •»  And  EU- 
fiia  came  sgain  to  Gi]ga),  and  the;c  vfas  a  dearth  in  the  Isnd,  and 
the  fons  of  the  prophets  were  fi  ting  before  hiai :  and  he  faid  unto 
fcii  fcrvant.  Set  on  the  great  pot,  and  fecibc  pottage  for  the  foni 
of  the  prophets."  In  Elijah's  and  Elillia's  n'me,  there  were  fevc* 
ral  places  where  there  refidcd  companies  of  ihcfs  foni  of  the  pro- 
phets ;  St  there  was  one  at  Bethel,  and  another  at  Jericho,  and  a» 
Dotber  at  Gilgal,  unUfs  that  at  Gi^gal  and  Jericho  were  the  fame  : 
and  pofTibly  that  which  is  called  the  collegt,  where  the  prophereft 
Huldah  rcfided,  wa§  another  at  Jerufalcm  ;  fee  2  Kings  xx  i  14. 
It  is  there  fatd  of  Huldah  the  prophetefs,  that  *'  Ihe  dwelt  in  Jsru- 
falem,  in  •*  the  college."  They  had  faoufes  built,  where  th?y  ufcd 
to  dwell  together  ;  and  therefore  thofe  at  Jericho  bing  mulliplicdt 
and  finding  their  houfe  too  link  for  them,  dcfired  U^ve  of  their 
ID aRer  and  teacher  Elifha,  th^t  they  might  go  and  h«w  timber  to 
build  a  bigger ;  ai  you  may  fee,  2  Kinga  vi.  I.    2. 

At  fomc  times  there  were  numbers  of  thefe  fons  of  the  prophets 
in  Ifracl  ;  for  when  Jfzsbd  cut  off  the  prophet*  of  the  Lord,  it  if 
faid,  thix  Obadiah  took  an  hua^ired  of  them,  ar.d  hid  them  by  fi^^y 
ina  cave,  ]  KipgJ  xviii,  4. 

Thefc  fchooU  of  the  prophets  bding  fct  iip  by  Samiiel.  and  after- 
wards kept  up  by  fuch  great  prcpheis  as  Eh'jah  ahd  Eliiha,  mufl 
be  of  divine  appointment  ;  and  accordingly  we  fiad,  that  thofe 
fons  of  the  propheis  were  often  favoured  with  a  degree  of  infpira, 
tion,  while  they  consipucd  order  luiricn  in  the  fchools  of  the  pro* 
phets  ;  and  God  coffifn  >tily,  whenhe  calJcd  any  prophet  to  the 
conftant  cxcrcift  of  the  prophetical  office,  and  10  fonae  extraordi- 
nary fervlce,  took  thcai  out  of  ihcfc  fchooli ;— though  not  univer- 
f'.lly.  Ihncethe  prophat  Ainos,  fpe^kiag  of  hij  being  called  to 
-the  p'ophctical  cfiice,  fay?,  litat  he  was  oae  that  had  aot  been  edu- 
cated in  the  fchools  ot  the  prophets,  and  was  not  ona  of  the  font  of 
the  propheti,  Aaiosvii.  14  ij.  But  A.nos'i  tsking  notice  of  it 
as  rercarkablc,  that  he  fhould  be  called  to  be  a  pjopbct  that  had  cot 
be«a  eduGstcd  at  thcfchoo'a  of  ibt  propheta,0^owi  thai  it  wai  God's 
ordinary  minner  to  take  hiS  prcpbcss  out  of  ibcfe  fchools;  for 
therein  he  did  but  blcfs  hisovyn  inftitution; 

Now  this  r^mai kiblc  difpe»f«tion  of  Providence  that  we  arc 
upon,  viz.  God's  bcgioniag  a  coriftant  fuccelfioD  of  prophcii  ia 
h\  Samue/s  time,  that  was  to  laftnaany  ^ge?  ;  and  to  thiit  end.  eila« 
blifhin^  a  fchool  of  the  prophet»  und^r  Samuel,  thenceforward  to  bt 
continued  in  HracI,  was  aftep  that  God  took  in  that  grest  affair  ol 
If  d'Ticpiion  thu  we  arc  upc»n.  For  the  main  bufincfs  of  this  fuc- 
teflion  ot  prophets  was,  to  forcllio%r  Chrlft,  and  the  glorious  re- 
dcaaptloa  ibkt  ke  iras  X9  accompliib^  aad  fo  to  prepart  the  way 

(of 


ih.e  Work  of  R  F.  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N,  73 

for  hii  coming  ;  as  appcin  by  ihit  foremcnvioned  place,  Acii  ii?. 
24.  ani  by  Aet«  x.  4.^  **  To  him  ^itc  al!  ihc  prophets  wijatfs ;" 
and  by  A^U  ii'.  18.  "  Bui  ihofc  thingi  which  God  before  had 
(h-wtd  by  the  mouih  of  nil  hit  prophets,  ihat  Chrift  (bould  fufTer, 
he  hath  fo  fuitiilcd." 

As  I  obferted  before,  ihc  Old  T^flament  tim=  was  like  a  time 
of  night,  wherein  the  church  w^s  not  wholly  without  light,  but  had 
not  the  light  of  the  fun  dircftly,  but  as  rcfl«:ded  frotti  the  ftari. 
Njw  ihcf :  proph  ts  w«re  the  ft<ir*  that  'cflet^cd  the  light  of  the  fun  ; 
an  1  acjordingly  8h  y  fpokc  abundantly  of  Jefus  Chrift,  ai  appears  by 
what  we  have  oi  thiir  prophecici  in  writing.  And  ihcy  made  it 
very  much  their  bufmefs,  whca  they  f.udlcd  in  their  fchools  or  col- 
lects, and  clfcwhtrc,  to  fearch  out  the  work  of  rcdnmpiion  ;  sgree- 
sb'e  to  whatthe  apo/\Ie  Pc?cr  fays  of  ihenti,  i  Pel.  i.  i*.  11.  "  Og 
which  falvation  the  prophets  have  en :^uired,  and  fiarchod  diiigcnS- 
ly,  who  prophcficd  of  ihe  grace  that  Ibould  come  unto  you  ;  feaich- 
ing  what,  or  vyhat  manner  of  time  the  Spirit  of  Chrift  thai  was  in 
them  did  fignify.whchit  taQiticdbcforchirtd  tbefafTtrings  o( Chrift, 
and  the  glory  that  ;!.  ould  follow."  We  arc  toid,  that  the  chuich  o£ 
the  Redeemer  is  built  on  the  foundation  of  the  prophets  &r\i  apofiieSf 
*b«  Rcdcemffr  himfclf  being  the  chief  corner  ftonc,  Eph.  ii.  20. 

This  was  the  iii  ft  thing  Of  the  nature  that  ever  wai  doiis  in  the 
World  ;  and  h  ^z%  a  great  thing  that  God  6id  towards  further  ad- 
vancing this  great  building  of  redemption.  Ther-1  had  been  btfcre 
oco^tfional  prophecies  of  Chrift,  as  was  Giown  ;  but  now  the  time 
drawing  neater  when  the  Redeemer  fhould  comr,  it  picafcd  God  to 
appoint  a  tertain  order  ©f  men,  in  confiant  fucccflion,  whofc  main 
bufinefs  it  (liouJd  b;,  to  forcihow  Ch?ill  and  hi>  redemption,  and 
as  his  forerunners  to  prepare  the  way  for  his  comiug  ;  and  God 
cllabiiihcd  fc'^oo^s,  wherein  multitudes  were  infiriidcd  and  trained 
up  t^  that  end.  Rev.  xix.  lo.  *'  I  am  thy  fellow- fervsv^r,  and  of 
thy  brethren  chaihive  the  tsftlmony  of  Jcfus  ;  for  the  tePaasony 
•f  Jefus  ii  the  fpifis  of  p/ophccy." 

PART         V. 
From    David  to   the  Babylonifli  captivity. 

I  CO  VIE  now  to  t'-ic  fifth  pirir)d  of  the  times  of  the  Old  Tcflamenl^ 
beginning  withOuu/V,  and  extending  to  ihzBahyhniJh  captivity  ; 
and  would  now  proceed  to  fhow  how  the  work  of  rcdcmpilon  wa« 

carried  on   through  this  period   alfo. Aiid  btrc, 

I.  The  firfl  thing  to  b«  taken  notice  of,  is  Gji't  anointing  l^at 
pcrfon  that  was  to  be  the  anceftor  of  Chcii^,  to  be  fciag  over  hi* 
pcip'C.  The  difpenfitioas  aJ  Pi-ori denes  that  ha v<;  been  r^fcca 
naiice  oi  tbroj^h  tke  Uft  period,  from  M ofes  lo  this  time,  rcfpcft 
^e  pzj^U  «rh;acc  Chdi^  wai  to  pracscd.    But  aowr  ^C  fcripturc- 

J  hifiury 


74  AHISTOKYof 

hiftory  Ics-fi  us  to  confi^ler  Gjd'*  providencs  towardi  that  particular 
pcrfon  whence  Ch-ift  was  to  proceed,  viz.  D^viJ,   It  plcafed  Gvi 
at  this  time  remarkably  to  fcleifl  out  ihjil  pcrfoa  of  wbora  Cferf(% 
w^is  to  come,  from  ail  the  thoufands  of   Ifriiel,  and  to  put  a  moi^ 
feooor^ble  mirk  of  diOAniilon  upon  him,  by  anointing   him  to  Le 
ki^g  Qver  hi»  pcopi*.     It  was  only  God  ihst  could  find  him  out. 
His  father's  houfe  i§  fpokcn  of  a*  being  little  in  ifraci,  and  he  wai 
She  youngcft  of  all  the  fons  of  his  father,  and  was  leaft  expected  to 
hz  :he  man  that  God  had  chofen,  by  S  .tnucl.     Gzd  hsd  before,  in 
the  /orEJcr  «gcs  of  she  world,  rcmark^ibly  diftinguifl^ed  the  perfons 
froaa  whom  Chrifi  wa.*  to  come  ;    as  be  did  Scth,   and  Noah,  and 
Ab  ah.a.m,  and  Ifaac,  andjacob.     But  the  lad  wcb-vc  any  accouijt 
of  Gad's  marking  oui  in  any  notable  manner,  the  veiy  p«i  fo'  of 
whoni  Chrivl  w^s  tp  come,  wat  in  Jacob's  bleflmg  Kis  fon  Judah  ; 
unlcfs  \vc  reckon  Nahfhon's  advancement  in  the  wildcrnefs  to  be 
the  hsad  of  the  tribe  of  Judah.     Btit  this  cifiJnfiJon  of  the  pf.jfo;i 
of  whom  Chriil:  vi'as  to  come.  In  David,  was  very  h  ;ror2b!c  ;   for 
it  W3a  Goi's  anoiniing  him  to  be  k*ng  over  his  peopsc.   There  was 
fjmeihing  further  denoted  by  D^via's  anoiniing,  than  was  in  ifiC 
anointing  of  Siul.     God  anointed  Saul  to  be  king  pcrfonail}'  ;  but 
God  intended  fomcihing  further  by  fending  Samuel  to  anointDavid, 
viz,  to  cO.abhili  the  crown  of  Ifrael  in  him  and  in  his  family,   as 
long  as   Ifra:!  continued  to  be  a  k?ngdom  ;   and  not  only  fo,  but 
what  wa<  infinitely  mere  fJJl,  eflabliihing  tr e cown oJ  hi» liniverf.  I 
church,  his  fj  ri  uil  Ifraci,  in  hi$  feed,  to  the  end  of  the  world,  and 
throughout   sll  eternity. 

This  was  a  great  difpcnfation  of  God,  and  a  great  (\ep  tak?n 
fo.vards  a  further  advancing  of  the  work  of  rcdcrnption,  accord- 
ing as  the  ticne  drew  near  wherein  Chrht  was  to  com.*.  David,  as 
he  W5S  the  ancefiar  of  Chrifi,  fo  he  w*s  the  grc^t^ft  perfonal  type 
ofChriil  of  ail  under  iheO  i  TcHarKect,  Th«  types  of  Chrift  were 
of  three  for4i  ;  i)pci  ci  inftituiion,  or  in!titutcd  types,  sind  provi- 
denu^lafld  perfonal  »ypcs.  The  ordinance  of  fdCriticing  was  the 
grcatcft  of  the  fn'n»'uted  types  ;  and  the  redemption  out  of  J^gypt 
uas  ine  f^rcsf-;'^  t>i  ths  p--  -vjc^cfai^l  -ypci ;  ai^d  D-v-d  the  grcatcft 
of  the  perff  na'  ryp<?s,  H'nce  Chiift  is  often  exiled  David  in  the 
proph-c;ei  of  fcriptu-e  ;  <s  Ez:k.  xxxiv.  23.  24.  "  And  I  will 
f',t  (10  "-^e  hcphcrd  .ver  thtm,and  he  fliall  feed  them,  even  my 
f:.v^i .:  Di/id  ;  —  ^Iv  fervant  David  a  prince  among  them  ;"  and 
fo  in  n  iry  other  places :  and  he  ii  very  often  fpoken  of  as  the 
feed  ot  D^vid,  and  the  fon  of  D.vid. 

D  vid  bci^g  t-e  a-iccftor  and  great  type  of  Chri<^,  his  being  fo- 
len  dy  anoinjcd  by  God  to  bs  king  over  his  people,  that  the 
kfT  g  <om  of  hi«  chu'ch  oiff^ht  be  continued  in  his  family  for  cver^ 
may  ia  io..?  refpCwli  bslo&kci  u&  at  aa  saointiogofChtl/lhimfclfj 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  7^ 

ChriA  nu  ss  it  were  anointed  in  hiaa  ;  and  therefore  Cbrlil'i  an- 
ointing arid  D  vid'g  anointing,  arc  fpokcn  of  under  one  in  fcrip- 
turc,  as  Pfal.  Isxxix.  20.  **  I  have  faund  David  my  fcrvant ;  with 
fcy  holy  oil  hwc  I  anointed  him."  And  David's  throne  and 
ChriiVi  are  fpokcn  of  as  one  :  Luke  13;.  **  And  the  Loid  (hall 
give  him  the  throne  of  bi«  father  David"  A^s  11,30,  *'D-vid— 
kn.owing  th-'.t  God  hid  fworn  with  an  oath  to  him,  that  of  the 
fruit  of  his  loin«,  according  to  ihe  flel"h,  he  would  isifc  up  Cbr|fk 
to  fct  on  bis  throne."  Thus  Good's  beginning  of  the  ki;.gda»  of 
his  church  in  the  houfe  of  David,  was,  ss  it  weia,  a  new  eJ-.ab4jfli- 
ing  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  ;  the  beginning  of  it  in  a  f: ate  of 
fuch  vifibility  as  it  thenceforward  continued  in.  It  was  as  it  were 
God'i  planting  the  root,  whence  that  branch  of  rightcoufncfs  wai 
aftcrwardi  to  fpringup,  that  was  to  bethe  cveflaiting  kingof  hil 
iburcl  ;  and  thtrefjrc  this  eveilafting  king  is  csUcd  tht  brcnchfrom 
thejfem  of  Jejt,  If.  xi.  I.  **  And  there  ftiail  coms  forth  a  rod 
out  of  the  ftcm  of  ]~^f!i  and  a  branch  fhall  grow  out  of  bis  rcots," 
Jer.  arxiii.  5,  "  SehoM,  the  days  come,  faith  the  Lord,  that  I  wiil 
raifc  up  unto  Divid  a  righteous  brinch,  and  I  kirg  (bail  reign  and 
profpcr."  So  chsp.  xaxiii.  15,  «'ln  thofediys,  and  at  that  tiiaei 
I  will  caufe  the  branch  of  rigbieoufncfs  to  grow'  up  to  David,  and 
he  (hsll  execute juctgemeijt  and  righiecufxicfs  in  the  land."  So  Chriil 
in  the  New  Tsfraasn:,  is  called  the  rcot  and  cffipring  of  David, 
Rev.  XX  ii.  16. 

It  if  obfe.-vable,  that  God  anointed  D^ivid  after  Saul  to  reign  in 
his  room.  He  took  away  the  crjwn  Trotn  him  and  his  fsmily, 
who  w^s  higher  in  ftaturc  then  any  of  his  people,  and  wss  in  ttei'c 
eyes  f\vci\  to  hear  rule,  to  give  i-i  to  Divid,  who  was  lov7  of  Ma- 
ture, and  in  comparifori,  of  defpjcable  appearance  :  fo  Gcd  was 
plea  fed  to  (liowbow  Chrift,  who  appC'rci  defpicabfc,  wiihoue 
form  or  comclincfs,  and  was  defpifed  and  r«j^*.f^cd  of  men,  ibouM 
take  the  kingdcna  ffona  the  great  ones  of  tic  earth.  AaJ  alfo  it  is 
cbfcrvsble,  that  David  was  the  }oupgcfi  of  J-  fit's  fens,  a»  j  .cob 
the  yojnger  brchcr  fupplanted  E*fau,  snd  got  the  birihr  [".ht  and 
bleiTing  from  him:  and  as  Pharez,  another  ofChrift'8a^.ct^.oiC, fup- 
pLnted  Zuiih  in  the  birth  ;  and  a-  Ifssc,  nether  of  thf^  ancefrors 
of  Chrift,C3ft  cut  hi?  eldci  brother  Khcise!  ;  thus  was  that  ircqoent 
f.-yingof  Chri/^  fulfilled,  *«The  hft  fti-illLc  Hrft,  and  th.fi'ft  1-^./' 

11.  The  next  thing  I  vyouldohfcrvc,  is  God's  fo  prcfcrving  D> 
vld'i  life,  by  a  fcries  of  wonderful  providences,  tillSiurs  death, 
]  bcfare  took  rcticc  of  the  wonderful  prefervaiion  of  either  parti- 
cular perfons  that  wens  the  anccRors  of  Chrift  ;  s$  No^h,Ab'3h.^rr, 
ir;«?.c,  Jacob  ;  and  have  oblerved  how,  in  thar  Chrir^  the  fttcat  Re- 
dctT^er  was  to  rrocccd  from  ihetn,  th:.«:  io  r'-xrlr  pre  ft  r  vatic  „  tha 
work  of  redcmptioa  itfelf  may  bs  Igyk;^  i*poa  as  prefaved  fi  .'ta 

fccii:g 


76  AHlSTORTof 

beinp  -{efe^tCvl,  ^nd  tke  whole  church,  which  h  r«d;emcd  thrcugk 
him  ftarry  being  overtlvown.  Ku»  the  prifcrvanon  of  D^vid  w-s  no 
Icfi  rcnarkablc  tbanth<ir  of  any  Qthcrs  thai  h'ave  been  already  taken 
fiottce  of»     Hovr  often  wa»  it  fo,  that  there  wa»  but  a  ftcp  be^VJcea 
bfiB  and  death.      The  firfl  ?niunce  of  it  .^e  hivc  in  hh  encounter- 
iog  a  Ifon  ani  a  bcar,vyhtn  th^y  had  caught  a  lamb  out  of  his  floclcj 
^^-'li^^Jj  without  mkacalous  afjiftancc,  cuui'd  at  once  hsve  rent  ihj^ 
yjuaPftripljpg  in  piece?,  as  they  coull  the  hmb  ihat  he  delivered 
ffOJrt  them  :  fo  ^Jter«rard»  the  root  snd   ofTioriog   of  David   wa? 
prci*erved  from  ih-;  roarln|9^  lion  shat  go^:?  about  fi^cking  whotn  he 
may  devour,  and  tcnquered' him,  and    refcusd   the   poor  fouls  .of 
men  »  ihatl  were  as  hmbi  ia  the  cnoisth  of  ibis   liori.     Anojhcr  re- 
inarksbie  inflance  w^a,   in  pfefeiyin^  ^^m  fronn.  that  aaigh?y  gisat 
Gafiath,   who  vyas  ilror.g  cnou^,h  to  have   taken  him,  and  picked 
him  to  piec?3  \yiih  his  tJ;i;^,ers,  and  gksn  hia  fiefh  to  the   beafts   of 
the  ficid,  and  to  the  iovjh  of  the  air,  s^s  he  threate*jed  him  :    but 
God  prfefcfvcd  him  froas  him,  and  g^we  him  the  vi(?tory  over  him, 
fo  that  he  cuiofF  his  heaci  with  his  own  fword,  and  msQe  him  there- 
in (ihc  deiivsrcr  of  his  people  ;  as  Chiifi  iltw  the  fpiriiual  Golisth 
wlih  his  owti  wt^pqn,  ihccroft,  snd  io  delivered  hh  people..     And 
bow  rctnaric^bly  slid  God  preserve  him  from  being  fiain  by  S^mJ, 
when  he  firA  fo'jght  hJ5  life,  by  giving  him  his  daughter  to  be  a 
faare  to  hini,  thst  the  hand  of  the  Philifiinc3   might  be  upsn  him, 
requiring  him  to  psy  for  htr  ^.y  an  hu'.yJred  ionikim  of  the   ?hi' 
iif^incs,  thaj  fo  hia  lik  wight  be  csfpofcd  to  .tbcpn  ;  and  in  pr«;ferv» 
£ng  him  sfterwardi,   vfhcn  S'iul  fpske  to  Jonatbyn,  atid  to  all   his 
fcrvantj,  to  kill  Drvid  ;  and  is/inclining  Jonathan,  ir.v?ead  of  hi« 
kiiiing  him,  as  his  father  bade  hJiU,  to  to\*e  him  as  his  ovra  fou?, 
snd  to  be  a  greaunf.rucnent  of  his  psefervaiion,    cw^n  fo  as  to  cx- 
pofe  bi«  own  Jife  to  prcferve   David  j   though   one    wculd   hsv« 
thought  that  liOGC  vKould  h^vc  been  more    wiriing;    to   have  Driyid 
kiiled  »h2n  j^niiban,  {onn^  that  he  wsc  con-pel itor  with  him    for 
lhi»  father's  crown  ;   and  again  faving  hicp,  whea   Saul  threw   « 
jaweliri    2t  him,    to    foaite    him   even  to   the   wall  ;  and  again 
pr«?fc' ving  him  vvben  he  fent  mciJeogcrs  to  his  hou'e,  to  watch  fcim, 
when  iVli^haJ  Saul'*  daughter  let  him  down  through  %  window  ;  and 
wkcn  he  afterwards  (tnl  mclTcngcrs  to  his  hcuf^.to  watchhim,and 
to  kill  hicp.whcnMicbal  SlaurcdsL'ghterlethim  down  thro'awicdow; 
andwh«nhe  afterw-ards  fent  meiTtrigcrs,  onc^  &  again,  toNaioth  in 
ILasnab,  to  take  him,  and  ihcy  were  rcaaaykably  prevented  time 
after  iin:e,by  being  ftizcd  wiih  mjracuJo?^s  in'/prcfflons  of  the  fpirit 
of  God  ;  and  afierwsrdi  when  SauJ,  being    refolute   m  the   sffaii^- 
went  hicnfcif,  he  alfo  was  aaaong  the  prophets  :  and  after  this, how  , 
wcnd^rfully '^as  David's  Hfc  prefcrved  at  Gath  atiiong  the   PhJ- 
llAines,  wrhcn  he  vrcnt  to  Achifh  ^le  king  of  Gath,  and  was  there 
ji)  the' band*  ol  JbcPoiiiftlaci,  \vho,  one  would  have  shcwght,  woul^ 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  77 

fisvedifpstchcdhim  at  once,  he  hiving  fo  much  provoked  thetn 
by  brs  exploits  againfl  ihcnj  :  and  he  was  »gain  wonderfully  pre- 
fcrvcd  at  Kcibh,  when  he  had  entered  inro  a  fenced  town,  where 
Saul  thought  he  was  furc  of  binn.  How  wonderfully  waa  heprc- 
fcrved  from  Sau!,  when  he  putfued  and  hunted  him  in  the  nioun- 
talr.i  ?  How  rcina?kably  did  God  deliver  hi«i  in  the  wilderticfs  of 
Maon,  when  3aul  and  his  army  were  compaiTing  Divld  ai|^ut  ? 
How  was  he  delivered  in  the  c*ve  of  Engedi,  when,  inficad  oi 
Saul'i  killing  David,  God  doHvcred  Saul  into  his  hands  in  the 
cive,  indhecutoffbii  ll^ift,  and  might  as  cafily  have  cut  off  bit 
head  ;  and  afterwards  ddivering  him  in  like  manner  in  the  wil- 
jicrnefs  of  Ziph  ;  acd  afterwards  again  prcfsjving  him  in  the  land 
cf  the  Philiitincs,  ihou^^h  David  had  fought  againft  the  Philiiiincs, 
and  conquered  them  st  Kfcilah,  Once  he  was  laft  aor.ong  them; 
which  one  would  chink,  would  have  been  fulF.cicut  warning  i<j 
theai  not  to  trui^  him,  or  let  him  efcapc  a  fecond  time,  if  it%h 
they  had  him  in  their  hands  again  ;  but  yet  now,  when  they  haoa 
fecond  opportunity!.  God  wonderfully  turned  their  hearts  to  him  to 
befriend  and  protcd  him,  in/lead  of  deftroying  him. 

Thus  was  the  precium  feed  Joat  vir r'jally  contained  the  Kedeem- 
efj  ^r\d  all  the  blcffings  of  bis  redcmpuoo,  wonderfully  prefcrvcd, 
when  hell  and  earth  were  confpircd  sgainft  is  to  dcftroy  it.  How 
ofiea  doss  David  bimfsif  i.ske  uoticc  of  this,  wiih  praife  and  ad- 
miration, in  the  book  of  PfaJnua  ? 

HI.  About  this  time,  the  written  word  of  God,  or  the  cannon  of 
fcripturc,  was  added  to  by  5  imutj,  I  have  before  cbferved,  hovr 
that  the  canon  of  fcripture  was  begun,  and  the  firf:  written  word 
of  God,  the  firft  written  rule  of  faith  and  manners  that  ever  was, 
was  given  to  the  church  about  Mofcs's  time  ;  and  many,  and  I 
ki-.ow  not  but  mof:  divine*,  think  k  was  added  to  by  JoQ-iua,  znd 
that  he  wrote  the  Isft  chapttr  of  Deuteronomy,  and  moft  of  the 
book  of  Joihua.  Otheri  think  thst  Jclhiia,  Judges,  Ruib,  and  part 
of  the  fifU  book  of  Ssmucl,  were  vrfiten  by  Samuel,  llowcve? 
that  was,  this  we  have  good  evidence  of,  that  Samuel  made  an  ad- 
dition to  the  canon  of  fcnptwre  ;  for  Satr.usl  is  manifsftly  men- 
tioned in  the  Ncw-Tcflxaicnt,  as  one  of  the  prophets  wbofe  writ- 
ings we  have  in  the  fcripjurcs,  in  that  fort mcnnontii  AiHs  iii.  24, 
**  Yea  and  a]I  the  prophets  from  Ssmuel,  ?nd  tbofc  that  follow  af« 
ter,  as  many  as  [use  fpoken,  have  iikcwifc  foretold  oi  ihofc  days.*' 
By  that  cTtprefjion,  "  as  many  as  hsvc  fpolicn,"  cannot  be  mci^rf, 
as  many  as  have  fpoken  by  word  of  mouth  ;  for  never  was  »r  y 
prophet  but  wh;.t  did  that  :  but  the  n:jeanirg  muft  be,  as  many  ai 
htvc  fpoken  by  writing,  fo  that  what  they  bare  fpoLtn  has  come 
down  to  us,  that  wc  may  fee  what  it  ij. 

The  way  tb«t  SaubucI  fpokcof  lUffi  U3ie!  of  Chri/lar  i  he  rof- 


7«  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T    o! 

pel,  was  5)y  giving  the  hiftory  of  thcfe  things  that  typified  them, 
and  poTcted  lo  thcrot  particulsrjy  ihe  il"  inj>«  concerning'  Dsvid 
that  he  wrote.  The  Spirit  of  God  moved  him  lo  comnoit  tiofe 
thing!  to  writing,  chiefly  for  that  icsfon,  bccaufc'  the)  poinud  to 
Chrift,  and  the  limes  of  the  gofpcl  ;  and,  as  was  hli  Lefcre,  ihif 
Waj»  the:  isain  buf:r;::f$  of  sli  that  fucwlfidn  0»  prophtU,  ibil  bcgaa 
in  S  Qiuel,  to  fcrtfhow  ihofe  i5n-,c». 

T-il^Sairue!  arfdcd  t;;  th^  canon  of  the  fcrlptures   fpcms  further 
■to  appfar  from  i  Chron.  xx'x.    29.   •'  Now  the  ^tls  of  D:vid  tht 
king,  firft  and  laft,  beheld,  they  arc  written  in  the  bookoi  Samuel 
the  fccr." 

Whether  the  book  of  JoHius  was  written,  by  Samuel  or  not,  yet 
jt  h  the  general  cpirion  of  divines,  thsl  tSc  book*  of  Ju':'ges,  and 
Ruth,  and  part  of  the  tirit  bcjck  ©f  i;  n.ue',  were  [cnner!  by  him.- 
The  back  cf  Ruth  was  penned  "^ for  that  rcafon,  bccaufs  though  it 
f%^'^  ^°  trestcf  private  gflpiir?,  yet  the  perfonfchi^-ily  fpokcn  of 
^^¥  ^00^  vs'Cfe  of  tb«  family  whsnc:  D^^vid  and  Chr ift  piccced- 
ed*  arid  fo  po'ntcd  to  what  the  spofiJf  Peter  obfervcd  of  Sa- 
muel and  the  otber  prcphc:i,  in  the  3J  chapter  of  Adh. 
The  thus  bidding  to  the  canon  of  the  fcriptu^es,  tha  great  and  maici 
in^^riiment  of  the  application  of  rsdempiion,  h  to  be  looked  upoa 
as  a  furtiie?  carrying  on  of  that  work,  and  kn  addition  made  to  that 
great  buiiding, 

IV.  Another  thing  God  did  tc^srds  tMi  wotk,  at  th^t  lime, 
wag  his  irii'pii'ing  D^vid  to  Ihow  forth  Chri!l;  and  his  redetnptioB, 
in  div!nefcng?,  which  flsouli  be  fcr'ihe  ufe  of  the  chuich,  in  pub- 
lic worO^jp,  ihroughom  a!!  a^^ei.  David  w.ie  hianfcU'  endued  wKh 
the  fpirit  of  prophecy.  He  is  czWcd  a  prcph  ft,  AcU^  i'l.  zg  30. 
*' Let  me  freely  fpeak  to  you  of  the  pstriarch  D^vid,  ih^?  he  ii 
tothdcjsd  and  buried,  and  his  fepiuchrc  is  with  ui  urrothis  d^v  : 
therefore  being  a  prophet,  x^d  knowing  that  God  had  (worn  with 
an  oath,"  &c.  So  that  here!'*  ■  c  ^as  a  type  of  Chrir*-,  that  he  tflraf 
both  a  prophet  and  kino;.  We  have  no  cci  rain  account  of  the  time 
whrn  D::v:d  w^%  firft  cniied  with  the  fpirit  of  p-op^^ecy  ;  but  It  is 
in3ni/c-3,  that  it  either  wiS  atrhr  fia  c  that  Samuc!  anri  >td  him,  or 
very  fo^n  after  ;  for  he  appeari  foon  a^tcr  ■^c]cd  by  th's  iprit,  in 
the  sffiir  of  GoUarh  :  and  then  great  psri  of  &s  pfaltns  wee  perTci 
j'l  the  lime  of  b»3  trouble*,  ^efo^e  he  c;rne  10  the  crown  ;  as  might 
be  m^jde  manJftft  by  an  In''u<f^ior»  o^  r>a'-«5culj*'S. 

The  oil  that  w3?  ufed  in  af^oioiiog  D«vid  »»  <js  a  type  of  r^c  Spirit 
of  God  ;  snd  the  type  and  the  intrtvpp  were  given  b  »:•'■  rogett;ei  ; 
sswe  arc  told,  i  Sarr.  xv'v,  13.  "Then  Sr.rrmel  tcokt^e  horn  of 
oil,  ?nd  jrolrrcd  him  in  the  n  idO  qf  h>?  bred  icn  ;  *rd  thr  ^ph'tt 
of  ihe  Lord  came  down  rpur  D^vid  from  that  day  forw^trd  :"  •  i'i 
^  IS  probfcblc^  ihii  it  cgvr  came  upon  lim  ia  U*  prophetic^)   ••  fla- 


the  Wor'x  of   R  E  I)  E  M  P  T  1  O  r^.  7^ 

The  vvsy  that  tliis  fpirit  influenced  him  was,  to-  infpire  hitn  to 
fho*r  forth  Chrift,  and  the  g!oriou»  things  of  his  rcdconpu^^n,  in 
diviot  fongi,  fwcelly  exprcffing  the  bieaihingi  uf  a  pious  foul, 
fuU  of  admirarion  of  thr  glorioui  things  cf  ihc  RcJeemcr,  infl^ui- 
cd  with  diviac  love,  .^rd  li'te  '  op  ♦li'h  praifc  ;  and  therefore  he  it 
€-i\U6  thsfwttt  pfaln7i/i  of  IfracL  2  Sam.  xxiii.  I.  *'  Ni>w 
thcfc  be  the  Isfl  words  oi  David  .-  D^vid  the  fon  of  J  /Td  faid,  ard 
the  mm  who  vr»>  railed  up  on  high,  the  anointed  of  the  God  of 
Jacob,  «ndl'C  fwcet  pfalmilt  of  Ifr;*cl."  The  main  fv-bjcds  of 
ihcfc  fvvcet  fjng?  we.e  the  glorious  things  of  jhegofpd  ;  at  ii  evi- 
dent by  the  interp/ctition  that  is  often  put  upon  thtrr,  and  the  uft 
that  u  m-cc  of  ihcm  in  the  New  Tcflament  ;  for  there  is  no  one 
took  of  the  0!d  Tcftainent  that  is  fo  often  quoted  in  the  New,  at 
ihe  book  of  Pf^lms.  joyfully  did  this  holy  msn  fing  of  thofc  great 
thing*  of  Christ's  redemption,  that  had  been  the  hope  and  expecta- 
tion of  God's  church  and  people  from  ihe  beginning  of  the  church 
cf  God  on  eart-  ;  andjoy'ully  did  others  follow  him  in  ir,  as  A- 
f:ph.  Hcman,  E'.han,  and  oihers  ;  for  the  book  of  Pfalms  was  not 
al!  penned  by  David,  though  the  gr^iater  part  of  it  was.  Hereby 
the  canon  of  fcripture  was  further  added  to  ;  and  an  excellent  por- 
lion  of  divine  writ  was  it  that  was   added. 

Thii  was  a  great  advancement  that  God  made  In  this  building  ; 
and  the  light  of  the  gofpel, which  had  been  gradually  growing  froia 
the  fall,  was  exceedingly  incrcafed  by  it :  for  whereas  before  thtre 
was  but  here  and  there  a  prophecy  given  of  Chrift  in  a  great  many 
ages,  now  here  ChriU  is  fpoken  of  by  his  anceftor  David  abundant- 
ly, in  multitudes  of  fongs,  fpcaking  of  hii  incarnation,  life,  death, 
.refurre<ftion,  afcenfion  into  heaven,  his  fatisfaftion,  interceflion  ; 
his  prophetical,  kingly,  and  prieAly  office  ;  his  glorious  benetita 
in  this  life  and  that  which  is  to  come  ;  his  union  with  the  churchy 
and  bleiTednefs  of  the  chi'rch  in  him  ;  the  calling  of  the  Gcntilet, 
the  future  glory  of  the  church  rear  the  end  of  the  world, andCbrift'g 
coming  to  the  final  judgement.  All  thefe  things,  and  many  more, 
concerning  Chrift  and  his  redemption,  arc  abundantly  fpoken  of 
In  ttic  book  of  Pfalm?. 

Thi>  was  alfo  a  glorious  advancement  of  the  affair  of  redemption, 
es  God  hereby  gave  his  church  a  book  of  divine  fongs  for  their 
ufc  in  that  part  of  their  public  worfhlp,  viz.  Ticg'ng  his  praifcs, 
throughout  all  ages  to  the  ecd  of  the  world.  It  is  manifcft  the 
bcok  of  Pfalms  wa?  f^iv^n  of  God  for  this  end.  It  was  ufcd  in  the 
church  of  1  '>>rl  by  God's  appoinvment :  this  is  manifefl  by  the  titio 
of  m?>ny  of  th?  j-fafms,  in  which  they  are  infcribed  to  the  chief 
muHcian,  /,  *,  to  the  man  th^t  vai  appointed  to  be  the  leader  of 
d'v'ie  fongs  in  ihctctpplc,  in  thft  public  worfhip  of  Ifrael.  %9 
Diviaif  called^  rAr/ii^Ki  pfalmijl  of  If  rat  I,  bccaufc  he  f^enaed 


%o  A    H  I  S  T  C  R  T  of 

pfalms  for  the  ufe  of  the  church  of  Ifracl ;  «nd  accordingly  wc  h«ve 
aa  account  that  ihcy  were  adlually  made  ufe  of  in  the  church  of  If- 
rael  for  that  end,  tvcn  ages  aficr  David  was  dead;  as  3  Chion, 
xxix.  30.  "  Moreover,  Hrzckiah  the  king,  and  the  princes,  com- 
manded the  Leviic*  to  Ung  praifcs  unto  the  Lord,  with  the  woids 
©f  David,  and  of  Af^ph  the  fccr."  And  re  find  that  the  faoie  src 
appointi-d!  in  the  New-TcHament  to  be  msdc  ufe  of  in  the  Cbrifiiaa 
church,  in  their  worfeip  :  Eph.  v.  19.  "  Speaking  to  yourfdvc*  in 
fifalmsf  hymBJ,  and  fpiritua!  fongs."  Col.  iii.  16.  **  Admorjtih- 
iBgone  another  in  pfslms,  hymns,  and  fpirilual  fongi."  And  fa 
ehcy  hivs  hesn,  and  wi'il  to  tisc  end  of  the  world  be  made  ufe  of  in 
the  church  so  celebrate  the  praifcs  of  God.  The  people  of  Go^l 
were  wont  fomejimcs  to  wcrfhipGod  by  Ringing  fongs  lo  his  praifc 
before  ;  as  they  did  at  \\\^  Red  fca  ;  and  they  had  Moici's  pi'ophe- 
lieal  fong,  mthe  3 2d  chapJer  of  Dtutcronc.Txy,  comcDine(s  to  iS»cm 
for  that  end  ;  and  Deborah,  and  Barak,  and  Hsanah,  fung  praifc* 
to  God  >but  now  firi^  did  God  commit  to  his  church  a  book  ol  di- 
vine fongs  for  their  conHant  ufe. 

V.  The  next  thing  I  would  take  notice  of,  ij  God'«  s^iually  ex- 
alting David  to  the  throne  of  Ifracl,  notwitbftanding  aU  the  oppo- 
sition made  to  it.  God  was  determined  to  do  it,  and  he  made 
every  thing  give  place  that  #iOod  in  the  way  of  ir.  He  removed 
Saul  aod  his  fons  out  of  ihc  way  j  and  fir  ft  fee  David  over  the  tribe 
of  Judah  ;  and  then,  having  removed  liliboflbt-^h,  fct  him  over  all 
IfraeJ.  Thus  did  God  fulfil  his  word  to  David.  He  took  hiai 
from  the  fl>eep  cote,  and  msde  him  king  over  his  people  ifrac], 
Ffal.  lixvlii.  lo,'}i.  And  coiY  the  throne  of  Ifrael  was  cftablifh  • 
ed  Ib  that  family  in  which  it  was  to  cosiiini**  for  ev«r,  even  for 
ever  and   ever. 

•  VI.  Now  firft  it  was  that  God  proceeded  to  chufc  a  particular 
city  out  of  all  the  tribe?  of  Ifrael  \o  place  his  name  there.  There 
h  fcveral  times  mention  rnsde  in  she  hw  of  Mofcs,  of  the  chil- 
dren^ of  Ifrael'fl  bringing  their  oblatioas  to  the  place  whicii 
God  fbouldchufe  ;  as  Dcul.  sii.  j.  6.  7.  aisd  fo  in  many  other 
places  ;  brit  God  bad  never  proceeded  to  do  it  till  now.  The  ta- 
bernacle atjd  ark  were  n«ver  fixtd,  but  fcmeiJEocs  in  one  p'ac<,  and 
fomctimcs  in  another  ;  but  now  God  proceeded  to  chufc  Jeruf^leRi, 
The  c'ty  of  Jerufalem  was  never  thoroughly  conquered,  or  tok;n 
outof  the  hands  of  the  Jcbufitcs,  till  David's  time.  It  is  faid  in 
Joiiiaa  XV.  63.  **  Ai  for  the  Jcbufftei,  the  inhabitants  of  Jerufalem, 
the  children  of  Judab  could  not  drive  them  cut  :  but  the  jebufitcs 
dwell  with  the  children  of  Judah  at  Jerufalem  unto  this  day."  But 
nowr  David  wholly  fubdued  ie,  ai  we  have  an  account  in  2  Sarii.  v, 
Aad  aow  God  proceeded  to  chufe  tbsit  city  to pUse  his  naue  there, 

u 


t!.c  Wofk  of   R  E  O  E  M  P  T  I  O  iC,  U 

af  sppesrs  by  Divia'g  bringing  up  the  ark  thither  foon  after  ;  and 
tberfrtore  ibis  is  cncntioncd  aticiwards  a»  the  fi:0  limc  God  pro- 
ceeded to  chufc  a  city  to  phcc  bis  name  jhcrc,  2  Chron.  vi.  ^.  6, 
and  chap.  xii.  13  A'^tcrv»ard»  God  procjeded  to  rtiow  D^vtU  the 
v?ry  place  where  he  would  have  his  temple  built,  vli.  in  the  tbicfh* 
in g  floor  of  Araunah  the  Jebii^ie. 

This  city  o< }:Tu(ihm  1%  therefore  called  the  holy  city  ;  aftd  it  vaB 
the  grestcfi  type  of  the  church  of  ChriA  in  all  the  Oid  Teriamcnt. 
It  was  redeemed  by  David,  ihe  captain  cf  the  hoft«  of  Ifrael,  cut 
of  th«i  hands  of  the  Jcbuxhes,  to  be  God'a  city,  the  holy  place  o£ 
bis  reft  forever,  where  he  would  d«'cll  ;  as  Chrifl,  the  csptai*  o^ 
fcis  peoplc'i  falvation,  rcdecrijs  his  church  out  of  the  hands  of  dcTilf^ 
to  be  his  holy  and  beloved  city.  Therefore  bow  often  doca  the 
fcripturc,  when  fpenking  oC  Chrifx's  redcroption  of  his  church,  cal! 
it  by  the  nacn.fs  of  Tjion  and  JerufaUm  ?  This  was  the  city  thst 
God  had  appointed  to  be  the  place  of  the  firft  gstkcrihg  andertf^ing 
ef  the  Cbriftian  church  after  Chrid's  refurrcdion,  of  that  rcmarfj- 
able  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  of  God  on  the  spofllea  and  pri- 
ttiitlrcChril^ians,  ar.d  the  place  whence  tb«  gofpel  «^as  to  found 
forth  into  all  the  world  ;  the  place  of  thft  fi.ft  Chriftian  church,  than 
was  to  be,  as  it  were,  the  t3Fiother  of  all  other  churches  through  iha 
world;  agreeable  to  that  prophecy.  If.  ii.  3.4.  "Out  of  Z'on  fhalj 
Y^o  forth  the  law,  and  th«  word  of  tht  Lord  from  Jerufalem  :  and  he 
Ihall  judge  an:ionj5  the  nations,  and  (hall  rcbekc  many  people/'  &c, 

Tgus  God  chofe  Mount  Sion  when  the  gofpcl  was  to  be  fouodedl 
forth,  as  tht  law  had  been  from  Mount  Sinai. 

VII.  The  next  thing  to  be  obfctvcd  here,  is  (7od*8  folejhnly  re- 
tiewirg  the  covenant  of  grace  with  David,  and  pfora:fing  that  tie 
MefTiah  fhould  be  of  his  feed.  We  hav.?  an  account  cf  it  in  the  7ihi 
chapter  of  the  fecond  book  of  Samuel.  It  wss  ioxxt  on  cccaflon  ol 
She  thoughts  David  c-.tcrtssincd  of  building  God  in  houfc.  On  »h88 
occaHon  God  fends  Nathan  the  prophn  to  him,  with  ;he  g.'o^ou© 
promlfcs  of  the  covenant  cf  grace.  It  is  efpccially  contained  in 
thefc  words  in  the  i6th  vcrfe  :  *«  And  thy  houfc  «nd  thy  ki'-pr'ojn 
ftiHll  be  eflablillisd  forever  before  thcc  ;  thy  throne  fhUl  be  tfisbi  fhcd 
forever."  Wfilch  promifc  has  jcfpecfl  to  Chr'ft,  tht  feed  o'  D^vid, 
and  IS  fulfilled  in  him  only  :  for  the  kingdom  cf  D  vid  ha*  lorg 
fincc  ceafed,  any  oihcrwifs  than  as  it  is  upheld  in  Chri{^,  T.'.e 
temporal  kingdom  of  the  houfc  of  David  has  isov^  ccafcdfor  agrcaB 
many  ages  ;  nriuch  longer  than  ever  it  ftood. 

That  this  covenant  that  God  now  cflabnilicd  with  Davtd  byNalhaa 
the  prophet,  was  ihfi  covenant  ©f  grace,  U  cviccnt  by  the  plain 
teiVimony  of  fcripturc,  in  If.  Iv.  i.  2.  3.  There  vvc  have  Chrift 
inviting  finneri  to  coT5ie  to  the  watci*^  9)cz^  And  in  the  3d  vtrft, 
k&  fa; a,  *'iacline  your  ear,  come  yclo  roc  ;  hear,  and  ycvr  fotila 


U  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

ih^II  live ;  and  I  wil?  m  ke  wiih  you  an  ererlafttng  cntenflT t,  trcn 
«h«  fure  mcrciei  of  0  vid  "  Hcr«  ChfiT'  otf«;\  lo  poor  firnerp,  if 
Ibev  will  corn-  to  .:  m.  to  give  them  an  intef  ft  in  ih<  latnt  tvtr- 
lafting  cjv£,iui  tbJit  bch^d  in.<j«le  wuh  D  virf,  co  vcyii  g  it  jh  m 
the  fame  f;  c  ^n'^  ciei.  Bj!  what  i»  ibai  covenant  (n«ii  finBcrt  cbi^ia 
au  inr  ■e'r  n^  v»i-cn  i'  ey  come  toChrlft,  bu»  the  covcnani  ofgract  i 
Trti*  w^»  h;  fifth  foit:a)n  cfrshiiflicnent  ofihc  covenant  o;  R«»co 
wJth  t".c  cha  :h  «  icr  the  fall.  Ths  c  <v.jnint  of  gr^ec  wa"  rcvra»e(l 
soA  <fiA-A  <Titd  all  along.  But  there  ba.i  been  pan-cular  fc.  Ions, 
%)fhe  cia  Gad  bad  in  a  very  folcoin  aiinricr  renewed  tr  i%  covenant 
with  hit  church,  giving  forth  a  new  ediilon  anrJcAalMhoaer  i  of  it, 
wvsaling  it  in  a  new  manner.  Tnis  wai  now  «h«  fiuh  folcmn 
eftabb'fliinent  of  thai  covenant.  Tfte  Hrft  w?.$  withAi  m,  bt  fccond 
waj  with  N^^h,  the  ^hir'f  ^35  wi  h  the  p:iria  ch  ,  Ah  .ith^ra,  If  x, 
and  Jacob,  tbcfou.th^as  in  Jhe  wildcraefs  by  M.i'e  ,  and  now 
the  HiiL  h  this  made   to  D;?id, 

Tau  cf^jbli^menl  of  the  covtnan!  of  gfice  with  D^vi ',  D^vii 
alwiyi  ej^cemcd  the  grcjicft  fmile  of  God  upon  him,  the  jjresif  .^ 
honor  of  a'l  that  God  Lad  put  upon  bim  ;  he  prfz^d  i;,  aed  rrjc'^ed 
inn  above  all  0\c  other  blcffings  of  hh  reign.  Y~u  nry  ^^  ^ow 
juyfuUy  and  ihankfully  ho  received  it,  when  N^shjin  Ckir*t  to  bim 
with  tic  glorioui  mtfT^ge.  in  2  Sam.  vii.  18.  Sfc.  Aud  f  Ddvid, 
la  hi§  laft  \v  .  i3,  declares  ihii  lo  be  all  his  f-Wauon,  snd  all  hif 
dcfirs  ;  »^  :  ou  naay  fee,  2  S^m.  saiii.  5,  *'  H«  haih  made  wiih 
me  an  cverlafling  covenant,  ordered  in  JtW  things  and  fure  :  For 
thi^  U   all  my  falvtion,  and  sll   my  dcfirc  " 

VI 11,  It  was  hv  Divid  that  God  firft  gave  hU  people  IfraeJ  the 
polfeifion  of  the  ^hSie  p<omifcd  land.  1  have  before  fiown,  how 
G  >i*s  ^ivinjy  the  poifcffiort  of  the  prtmifed  land  belonged  to  the 
covenant  of  giar«.  Thif  t»  »>  done  in  a  grcsi  aae«fure  by  Jcdiua, 
lu'  no:  fully.  JifhuH  iid  not  wholly  fubdue  thai  p^rt  of  the  pro- 
icifri  hn  1  thil  w*s  f^ri''^!y  c-JIcri  ihe  land  of  Cana<in,  and  thrft  wai 
cJivi^H  by  lot  to  f-e  fercr*!  uites  ;  bai  thcfc  wc7i  great  nun^.bcrj 
c  the  old  i  habit-*!  tt  ictt  utifubjut'f,  ft*  we  rcai  in  the  beck?  of 
J.!h(ji  sori  J  ilgc»  ;  ^nd  ihetc  wctc  ms«ny  left  to  prove  Ifr;^el,  ami 
lo  b^  thorpf  M  tH'  t  fiJcs,  aj.d  p  ick»  in  i^-cir  ey*.  There  were  the 
J;b-  fites  in  f:i«f  lem,  and  rn*.,y  of  the  Canaanites,  and  the  vtho.'c 
t!'*iv^  of  t  P  uiirrine*,  wtio  al'  -Jwclt  in  that  part  of  the  land 
»  -  wa»  divide^  Hy  lot,  snd  chitlly  in  th^t  part  of  the  land  thiit 
fclrnjed  to  the  ..  it)ei  cif  Juisr.  and  E^hraim. 

r  'ii  thcfe  fcm^ini  of  the  '^14  inV<ib)itanti  of  Cana»n  fcntirued 
lUjf'.ib'Jued  lillD  na'i  time  ;  but  he  nh'^'y  fubducd  them  'A\  Which 
J3  Hj.yt?4ble  to  v^ntt  St.  Scep^c  >  ol f  ivf>,  Af}»  vii.  45.  "  Which 
aK'.i  .  .r  "fathers  brought  in  vralj  fw  (f.  t,  Jofhua)  into  the  prfiifHon 
o!  4ft«  GwiitiitfJ,  wh  jua  Gdu  <2*l*vc  wUi  before  the  hsc  of  our  father s» 

ULtO 


tfic  Work  of    R  E  1)  E  M  P  T  I O  NT.  tZ 

lMt»  th*  dayi  o^  D  ivid."  T  cy  were  till  the  days  oi  David  io  driv 
lag  ihcm  oa,  Uiuic  ibcy  had  Ktholly  iubducd  ihcoa.  Bui  D.vid 
CDAitly  brought  them  undw.  tic  ftbJucd  ibc  Jcbuiiui,  ani  be  fub- 
llued  the  «*hoJc  naiion  ol  iKc  i'hilifimes  and  all  the  icft  of  the  rt- 
cnaiui  ot  ibc  fcvca  nation!  of  Canaan  :  i  Cbion.  aviii.  i.  "  Nowr 
after  (hii  ti  came  to  pafi«  that  Divid  fmote  the  I'nilirtiaeif  and 
fubiu*^  them,  ani  took  GiCb  aad  her  towc»  out  of  the  baau*  uf 
the  Pnilift^ncs." 

After  ihM,  all  the  remiict  of  the  formtr  inhibitants  o*  C>naa« 
were  miie  bond  ('efvaots  to  the  UnzVnzs,  The  ptTc  it)  ci  tfcs 
G  *  co:jilc*  bec-me  fcrvants  before,  htwcii  of  vkcoc,  *rO  cisiwer* 
of  water,  for  II  €  hoafc  of  God.  But  Solomon,  D  vid%  fon  in4 
luccclfof,  put  aii  the  other  remains  of  the  feven  nations  of  Canaan 
Io  b  jnd-(divicc  }  tt  leafl  m^de  them  pay  a  tribute  of  boDd-fcrvice, 
ai  you  oi^y  fee,  i  Kings  iic.  to.  21.  22.  And  hence  we  read  of 
tthc  children  of  Jljlo.iion*i  fcrvants,  after  the  rclwn  from  the 
B>«byloniifa  captivity,  Ezra  ii.  f  5.  and  Nch.  xi,  3,  They  were  the 
cb<l-lreQ  or  pjf^erity  of  the  feven  nationi  of  Caoaao^  ihatSo^offiOO 
bad  fiibjcfted  to  boad-fcr?ice. 

Thu*  Divid  fubdued  the  whole  land  of  Canaan,  ftriclly  foc5??cdo 
But  then  that  was  not  one  half,  nor  quarter,  of  the  land  Got*  baci 
prooaifed  to  their  falhcn.  The  land  that  God  had  oUcr.  p'ooiifco  to 
their  fafbers,  included  all  the  countries  itom  th«x  ivcr  o  Egypt  to 
the  sivcr  Euphrxtjs.  Thefs  were  the  boundi  t  f  iht  Unci  prom i fed 
t^  Abrafeaoa,  Gca.  »v.  18.  *'  In  that  fame  day  the  Lord  midc  t 
Covenant  with  Abrahaos,  faying.  Unto  thy  feed  have  i  given  thit 
laud,  from  the  river  of  Ki,ypt,  unto  the  great  r ivsr,  the  river 
£uphr-tc«."  iloagainGodpioaitfcdaiMountSinaijExod.  KJtiii.  31, 
*'  A^a  1  will  fct  thy  bounds  from  the  Red  fca  even  unto  the  fea  of 
the  Piuiiftincs,  and  from  the  defcrt  unto  the  river  :  for  1  will  dcli- 
fcr  ihe  ithabitanis  of  ih«  Utii  into  your  hand  ;  and  ihou  (hAt  drive 
tbjctn  out  before  thee."  So  ag^in,  Deut.  xi.  24,  **  Every  pbc* 
whcieon  the  foic«  of  your  feet  ihall  trcsd,  fiiall  be  yours  :  tr#ni 
the  wilderncfi,  and  Lebanon  from  the  river,  the  river  Euphraict, 
even  unto  the  uttcrmofl  fca,  (bill  your  coaft  be  "  A;}?ir,  i?}c  fame 
p:oojif<  ii  made  to  Jolhua  :  Jofh.  i.  J,  4.  «'  li»c  y  place  that  ihe' 
foul  of  your  feci  (hall  tread  upon,  bavt  I  g  vf  i  uaio  you,  at  I  f^tij 
SAto  Mcfai  ;  from  the  wilderntfs  and  ihi^  Lcbxnon,  even  utto  tfaa 
great  river,  the  river  Euphratei,  all  the  had  of  the  Hittitca,  ani 
unto  the  great  fea,  towards  the  p-oing  Ocwn  of  iti:  fcm,  (hn\  bt 
your  coafl."  But  the  land  thatjofbifca  g&vc  the  p^o^'c  ihe  pofT-efKcn 
of,  wa«  but  a  little  part  of  thi?  land.  And  the  people  never  h&i 
liad  the  pofTcflloa  of  it,  till  now  wbea  God  g^ve  it  tlicm  by  David. 
TbiBbrge  country  did  not  only  indude  (hat  C^nzan  thii  was 
llvldedby  bt  to  tbofc  vrbo eastern  wirb  Jc&ui«  but  the  hnd  o( 


»4  AHISTORYcf 

the  MoabltM  an<J  Atamonkcs,  the  land  of  Jhc  Amal«kitc§,  and  tfcs 
ref^  of  ihe  Edosuhfis,  and  ehe  country  of  Z  bsh,  Ali  tl.efe  nati- 
ons vrcre  fubducri  and  brought  uvAqt  the  chiMrea  of  Ifrsd  b)Davii, 
And  he  put  garrifoas  p  the  fe-zera?  cotintrics,  and  they  bccstne 
Divid's  Ut}fi'M*i,^t  wc  have  a  panicuUr  accou-t  ia  iha  Shchapjeif 
Oi'  2d  Simusl  :  and  David  extended  ihcii"  border  to  the  river  Eu- 
phrates, as  was  profDifcd  ;  lee  the  3d  verf?  :  *'  And  David  fosotc 
alfo  Kjdadczirthc  foo  of  llchob,  king  of  Zcbab,  as  he  went  to 
recover  his  border  at  the  river  Euphrates."  Accordingly  we  i«id, 
that  Salomon  his  i'oa  reigned  over  «|}  the  region  on  this  fide  tkq 
river,  I  Kings  iv.  24.  *•  For  he  had  douitnion  over  si!  lbs  re- 
gion on  ihii  jidc  the  ri7cr,  fromXiphfah  even  unto  Azzah,  Qvcr 
aU  the  king*  on  this  fide  the  sivcr. "  Thi«  Ariazcrxss  king  of  Per- 
fit  takes  notice  of  lonjj  afier  :  Ezra  iv.  50.  <' There  have  been 
mighty  king!  «lfo  over  J«rufa>em,  which  hiive  ru!«d  over  ail  courrries 
beyond  ihe  nyer  ^  and  tcl:,  tribute, "vJd  cuy'totp  yi'as  paid  unto  them." 

So  thitjornuaahat  type  ofChrift, did  but  b:-gin  tha  work  of  givir.g 
Ifrael  the  poiTe^rico  of  th«  proraifed  isnd  ;  but  l£.^r  it  to  be  t-.ai<l:£;i 
by  thdt  much  grtjaier  typ;  and.ancef^or  of  Chrift,  ?ven  David, who 
fubducd  hr  oore  of  ^hat  Jand  sha*  ever  jolhua  had  done.  In  this 
extent  cf  fail  and  Sclornon'a  donainion  was  focne  rcfcmblanc*  of 
thegreaz  cxtsaiof  Chiiit'2  kir.gdoni  J  aRd  ihtr^iont  the  extent  of 
Chriu'i  kingdcni  is  hi  forth  by  thjj  very  tbirg,  of  m  being  over 
&ii  lands  from  the  R-id  fea,  to  the  fca  of  tke  FhiUftinss,  and  ovct 
all  lands  from  Ehcncs  to  the  rJ¥cr  Euphratci  ;  £s  Fhl.  Isrii.  8.  ''He 
ihall  have  dominion  alio  frcxn  fca  to  fea,  and  from  the  five?  unto 
she  ends  af  tbs  earth.'*     Sec  slfo  1  King*  viii.  56. 

IX.  C:^i  by  DiviJ  perfcQcd  ;hc  jzwiih  worihip,  and  added  to 
It  fcv«rAi  new  inftitutioa!.  The  hw  was  given  by  ^4ofcs,  but  yc{ 
all  ihs  infti.utions  of  the  Jswilh  worfhip  ivcie  not  given  byMofcs  ; 
1j312  were  a  !dcJ  by  divine  dircilion.  So  this  grcateft  of  all  per- 
son*! typ23  of  Chrift  did  not  only  pcrfed  jcftvja'a  woik,  in  giving 
JfrasI  il.c  pofi":(nonpf  vhc  protrjifcd  land, but  be  aJfo  finifhed  Mofcs's 
woxl:,  inp«rfiding  the  inriitqtcd  worfhip  of  Ifracl.  Thus  ihert 
tsmii  be  a  number  of  typical  prophtttn,  pricf'^j,  snd  puncea,  10  com- 
plete o  ic  figure  or  fludow  of  Ccri:!  the  aatctypc,  he  being  the  fub- 
itanceof  tlj  the  lypcs  and  fbsdows.  Offounuch  mora  glory  was 
Chrifi  accounted  wofthy,  than  Mofcs,  joihuz,  Divid,  and  Solo- 
mon, aqj  i|:  the  gnjit  propheti,  pricjla,  and  prio^M,  judges,  aa^ 
f  aviourj  of  iht  O^i  Te  ftam-scts  put  together. 

The  orjina^Ciis  of  U<vid  arc  mcitioned  as  of  parallel  validity 
wilb  ihofe  of  Mof«i,2  Chroa.  jfxUi.  j8.  "  A)foJcho}ada  sppoini- 
cd  the  cfHcci  of  ihe  honfc  of  the  Lord  by  the  hand  of  the  pricfts 
|hc  Lcyiio,  vvhcm  David  had  difiiibufed  in  the  hoyfeoi  the  i.ord, 
to  pii";;  lU  Imai-cireriugs  oi  ihc  Lord,  &5  it  is  viruico  jj^  ibc  la/? 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  8 


•jTMrfcs,  with  rfjoicing  and  wiih  Tinging,  as  it  wa»  ordained  by 
Ddivid."  The  worlhipot  llraci  w^s  p^rkcUd  by  David,  by  lh« 
addition  that  be  made  to  the  ceremonial  bw,  which  wc  have  an 
iccouatof  in  the  23d,  2  4tJi,  ijih,  and  26'.h  chapters  of  the  firft 
hook  of  Choniclci,  corifijiing  in  the  fevcral  orders  and  courfcs  in- 
to which  D  ivid  divided  the  Lcvltes,  and  the  work  and  bufinefs  to 
¥ebich  he  appointed  them,  diiTcr«ni  from  whar  Mofts  had  appoint- 
ed them  to  i  and  alfo  ia  the  divifions  of  the  prices  the  fon$  o/Aaron 
ialo  four  and  twenty  ccurTcs,  a^gniog  to  every  courfc  their  bufl- 
nefi  in  the  houfe  of  the  Lord,  and  their  particular  rlutsd  times  of 
aitcniifltc  there  ;  and  sppointing  fomc  of  the  Lcvites  to  a  new  of- 
fi.sc,  thi^  had  not  been  appointed  bcfare  j  and  that  was  the  office 
cf  dingers,  and  particularly  ordering  and  regulatitig  of  ihcm  jn  thai 
oriice,  as  you  may  fee  in  ths  25ih  chapter  of  ift  Chronicles  ;  audi 
appointing  others  of  the  Leviics  by  law  to  the  fcvcral  fdrvices  of 
pojicrs,  trcafureri,  ofricers,  and  judges  :  and  shcf«  ordinances  of 
P^vid  were  kept  up  hcncsforth  in  the  church  of  Ifrael,  as  long  as 
the  Jcwilh  church  lafted.  ThL'S  wc  tind  the  fevsral  orders  of  priefii 
and  the  Levites,  th*  portcrfp  and  fingers,  after  the  captivity.  So 
wc  fiad  the  courfes  of  the  priefl-s  appointed  by  David  fiill  conti- 
nuing in  the  Nsw-Tcftamcnt  ;  fo  Z  xharias  the  father  of  John  the 
Eeipiirt  w<i3a  prieft  of  ths  courfc  of  Abia  ;  which  is  the  hmc  with 
the  courfc  of  Abljah  appointfd  b>  David,  that  wc  icad  of  1  Chroa. 
^fxiv.  10. 

Thus  David  as  well  at  Mofcs  was  m^dc  like  to  Chrift  the  fon 
©f  Divid,  in  this  refpe/i,  that  by  him  G  jd  g^ve  a  new  cccIefiaAi-!- 
tdl  cftabiilhm^nr,  *nu  new  inUKuiionacf  woJh'p.  Divid  did  not 
caly  add  to  the  inftiiuiioni  oi  Mofes^  but  by  thofe  additions  he 
aboliUjcd  feme  of  the  old  cnftiiuiions  of  Mofcs  that  had  been  in 
force  till  that  time  j  parcicuiifly  thofc  laws  of  Mofca  that  appoint- 
ed the  bufincis  of  the  Lcvlccs,  which  wc  bavs  in  the  jd  and  4th 
ch*pt:ri  of  Numbers,  v/hich  very  much  confifted  in  their  charge  of 
|he  Icveraj  paris  aijd  utci^tili  of  iht  taSsrujclc, there  afHgo'd  them, and 
io  cxrryin^ thofe  fevcral  pa?  ts  oi  ihr:  tybaraicle'  Bu:  thofe  hws  were 
tjovv  abotilhcJ  by  David  j  and  they  wc/e  no  mere  to  carry  thofe 
things,  at  they  had  been  ufed  to  do  tiil  David's  lime.  But  Djv:4 
appointed  tht:m  to  other  work  inftcad  of  it  ;  fee  i  Chron.  xxiii, 
26.  '*  And  alfo  unto  ihc  Lcyltes^  they  (ball  no  more  »carry  the  ta- 
befoaclc,  nor  any  vclTtis  of  it  for  the  fcrvicc  thereof:''  A  fur* 
evidence  that  :hc  «ereaionial  hw  ;i;Ivca  by  Mofca  is  not  pcrpcltjal, 
^s  the  jews  luppofci  :  but  mi^ht  be  wholly  abolillicd  by  Chrift: 
for  if  D  ivid,  a  type  of  th«  Mtlfiab,  aaighi  sLclifli  t)-.e  law  of  Mo- 
izi  in  part,  much  mo.'c  mijiht  the  MefTiah  himfclf  kboiilh  the  whole, 
D^vid,  by  God's  ajppointmcnt,  :;bcliiV.cd  all  ufe  of  ihc  tabcrta^ 
C'It^;h*v  ^A$  baj»  byMcfcs,  a»vi  gl  nhiciitie  b*i  ihc  psitcrn  frcai 


S6  A    H  I  5  T  O  R  T  of 

Gad  :  for  G9S  now  revealed  it  to  D^vid  to  be  bis  wi!!,  that  a  tern* 
pie  ih'^u^d  be  buiii.  that  fbould  be  inftcad  of  ih<*  labcrnacie  :  A 
^r:ai  p  efage  ol  whai  Chrift,  the  foii  of  David,  fbould  do,  whca 
he  (hould  cume,v!z.  abulUh  the  wbclcjcwifh  ccclcfiaftica'  conftitu- 
tion»  which  wa>but  ^^  a  moveable  tabernacle,  to  fci  up  ibc  fpii itual 
gofpcl- temple,  which  ^as  to  be  far  more  glorious,  and  gfeatef 
txtcnt,  and  wa^  to  laft  for  ever.  D.vid  had  the  pattern  of  all 
thing*  pcrtatnJng  to  the  temple  (hovcd  him,  cv»n  in  like  m^nrer 
ai  Mofei  had  the  pattern  of  th«  tabernacle  :  and  Solomon  built  the 
temple  according  to  that  pattern  which  be  had  fiom  hit  father 
i)*vid,  which  A/ received  trcni  God.  l  Chron.  xatviii  il,  J2, 
•'Then  David  gave  to  Sjlomoa  hii  foa  tiic  pattern  of  the  porch, 
and  of  the  houfci  thereof,  and  of  the  treafutits  thereof,  and  of  th« 
ijpper  chambers  thereof,  and  of  Kht  inner  parlours  thersol,  and  of 
the  place  of  the  mercy -(car,  and  the  patierfl  of  a!i  that  he  had  by 
the  fpirit,  ©f  the  court*  of  th«  houfe  of  the  Lord,  and  of  all  th« 
(fhambe.'S  round  about,  of  the  trea  furies  of  the  houfe  of  God,  and 
«f  the  treafurieiof  she  f'cdicatc  sbings."  And,  vtr.  19.  **  All 
fihii,  f  id  D  vid,  she  Lord  midc  me  uadcrftand  in  writing  by  bit 
iiand  up  n  me,  «ven  all  the  woris  of  thi«  pattern." 

X  The  canjn  of  fcripturs  fcem*  atof  after  the  clofcof  David'i 
reign  to  be  added  to  by  the  prophets  Nathan  aod  Gad.  It  appctra 
prcbvblehy  she  fcrjpturca.that  they  carried  on  thtbiflory  of  the  two 
tiook»of  Smuel  from  thepJace  vvbere§atr»ucl  left  it,  andfintfbed  it. 
Thcfe  two  books  of  Ssmuel  fcem  to  be  the  book  that  in  fcripturc  io 
«i!!ed  tht  beck  of  Stmutl  th  far,  end  Nmtkan  tkt  prophet,  tizd 
Gad  the  fger,  as  in  i  Chron.  zxis.  29.  **  Now  the  zf\»  of  Divid 
ttc  king,  fir*^  and  laft,  beheld,  they  arc  written  ia  ihc  book  oC 
Samuel  the  fsrr,  and  in  the  book  of  Nathan  the  piopbcl,  and  ia 
the  bock  of  G^d  the  fecr." 

XI.  The  next  thing  I  would  take  notice  of,  i?  God's  wonflcrfully 
continuing  the  kingdom  of  his  vifible  people  in  tfac  line  o?  Oirift't 
legal  anccfirors,  as*  long  as  they  remained  an  inf/Jepcndeni  kirgdom. 
Thus  it  was  withoit  any  interruption  worth  t^k  ng  notice.  I  dtt^ 
the  kingiom  of  all  the  tribes  of  Krael  was  not  kept  in  that  line  ; 
but  the  dominioti  of  thai  part  of  1ft  acl  in  whi«h  the  true  wot  Jh  p  ol 
God  was  upheld,  and  fo  of  that  part  that  were  God's  vfible  ptopic, 
was  aSw^ys  kept  in  the  family  o.  David,  as  long  as  there  w^s  any 
fuch  thi?'^  as  an  independent  king  of  IfratI  ;  accordirg  to  hi«  pro- 
inife  to  P  vid  :  And  rot  oi'y  in  the  family  of  D^vld.  hut  a^vvayi 
in  that  p:irt  of  David's  poftc  hv  that  vras  che  Uoe  whenct  Cr«ri<t 
W3S  legally  defccnded  ;  foth^t  rhc  very  pfrfon  that  xvuCt»i<r*f 
Kg?l  ancefror  was  zlftfdyt  in  the  throne,  earcfpting  Jcho-ih  -z  wH«i 
reipoed  three  months,  and  Zsdukuh  i  as  you  may  fee  ia  Mjvic-v'i- 

Cfiiift 


the  Work  of  XXDEMPTIOW.  9f 

Chrlil  wai  legally  dcfccnded  from  the  kiogi  of  Judih,  ibougk 
be  was  no»  naturally  dtfcendcd  from  them.  He  waiboih  Icgal'y  ani 
naturally  dcfccndcd  from  David.  He  wai  naturally  dcfccndcd  froai 
N  than  the  fon  of  David  ;  for  Mary  his  mother  w^i  one  of  the 
pofterity  cf  Divid  by  Nathan,  as  you  a.ay  fee  -nL'jkc's  genealogy  2 
bu'jofeph,  the  reputed  and  hgal  father  of  Chrift,  was  naturally 
defcendcd  of  Sclomon  and  his  fucceffori,  as  we  have  an  account  \m 
M^itthC'vN  g'nealogy,  Jcfui  Chrift,  though  he  was  not  the  natural 
fon  of  J  jfcph,  yet,  by  ths  Uw  and  conflituiion  of  the  Jc«fs,  be  *rai 
J')fcph*»  heir  ;  bcciufc  he  was  the  lawful  fon  of  Joleph'i  lawful 
wife,  conceived  while  (he  was  his  legally  efpoufcd  wife.  The 
H  4y  Gooft  raifcd  up  feed  to  him.  A  perfon,  by  ihc  law  of  M-  fes, 
might  be  the  legal  for.  and  heir  of  another,  whofe  r  atural  fon  h« 
was  not  ;  x%  fomct.'m<s  a  man  raifid  up  feed  to  his  brother :  \ 
brother,  in  feme  cafes,  wsi  to  build  up  a  brother'i  boufe  ;  fo  the 
H-Iy  G\o(i  built  up  Jofeph's  boufe. 

J  jfcph  being  in  the  oirc£^  line  of  the  ki.ngt  of  Judab,  of  the  houfe 
ef  Divid,  he  was  the  Icg^l  heir  of  the  crown  of  D^vid  ;  and  Chrift 
being  legally  hi«  fitft-born  fon,  he  was  his  heir ;  and  fo  Chrift,  by 
the  law,  was  the  proper  heir  of  the  crown  of  David,  aad  is  thcit* 
fore  faid  to  lit  upon  the  throne  of  his  father  David. 

The  crown  •{  God's  people  was  wonderfully  kept  in  the  line  ef 
thrift's  legal  ancertors.  When  David  was  old,  and  not  able  any 
longer  to  minnagc  the  affairs  of  ichc  kingdom,  Adonijah,  one  ot 
fcis  fons,  fct  up  to  be  king,  and  feemed  to  have  obtained  his  purpofc| 
all  thing*  for  a  wbilt  fccmed  fair  on  his  fide,  aad  he  thought  hiafilf 
f^rong  ;  re  thing  be  aimed  at  feemed  to  be  accompliftied.  *ut  f« 
it  was,  Adon'JAh  was  not  the  fon  of  David  that  was  the  tnceHor  o£ 
Jofeph,  the  legal  father  of  Chrift  ;  and  therefore  how  wonderfully 
did  Providence  work  here  !  what  a  firange  and  fudden  revolution  I 
all  Adonijah's  kingdom  and  glory  vinilbed  awsy  as  foon  as  it  wai 
begun  ;  and  SolomoHi  the  legsl  ancellor  of  Chtifi,  was  eftabliiked 
in  the  throne* 

Afjer  Solomon's  death,  when  Jeroboam  had  confpired  agatnfk  t^t 
family,  and  Keboboam  carried  himfelf  fo  that  it  was  a  wonder  all 
Ifrael  was  not  provoked  toforfake  him,  and  ten  tribes  did  aftually 
forfake  him,  and  fel  up  Jeroboam  in  oppofition  to  him  ;  and  tho* 
be  was  a  vricked  m»n,  and  deferved  to  have  been  rcjcdled  altogether 
from  being  king  ;  yet  he  being  the  legal  anceftor  of  Chrifk,  Go4 
kept  the  kingdom  of  the  two  tribes,  in  which  the  true  rtllgioo  waf 
VpSeld,  in  his  pcfTefTion  :  And  though  he  had  been  wicked,  and  hit 
fw  Abijim  was  ;inothcr  wicked  prince  ;  yet  they  being  legal  aft* 
•ei^ors  of  Chrifl,  God  Aill  continued  the  crown  in  the  family,  ani 
{avc  it  to  Abij^m'k  fon  Afa.  Afterwards,  though  many  of  the  king^ 
•f  Judah  wcfc  very  wicked  meoj  and  horridly  provoked  God,  at 

particularly 


,^8  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T    of 

parJjeularly  Jchoram.  Ahsz^iah,  Ahsi,  Man^.ffiih,  and  Atncn  ;  yc» 
God  did  not  take  away  she  crown  from  thecr  fsmily,  bit  gave  it 
to  their  fom,  bccaufc  they  wrjc  tht  anccf  ors  of  Chrift,  God's  re- 
membering his  covenant  th^t  be  had  cfublifted  with  David-,  is  givcfi 
as  ?h«  rca^^on  v»'h)(jr.>d  did  thus,  notwJthflanding  their  wicked  lives ; 
a»  1  Xing'  sv  4  fpssking  trcreof  Ahij  m's  wickc^Jncf?,  it  is  f#>d, 
•'  Ncvcrthclcfs,  for  D.  vici**  fikc  did  the  Lord  his  God  give  hiQT  a 
lamp  in  Jtrufaicm,  to  fct  up  his  fon  after  hitr,  and  fo  eftablifh 
Jcrufalem  :"  So,  Chron.  xxi.  7.  fpes king  there  of  Jchoracr/*  great 
wickedncfs,  it  is  faid,  '*  Kovvbtit  the  Lord  wcuM  not  dci^rcy  ihe 
houfc  of  Divld.bcciufc  of  the  covenant  ihathehad  made  vrithDi^vid, 
and  as  he  promifed  jo  give  a  light  unro  him, and  to  his  fons  fortver.'* 

Thi  €ro\v*'iJ  of  the  ten  trib-<^8  w?.i  charged  from  one  family  19 
another  continuaUy.  Firft,  Jerobosm  tcck  it  ;  but  the  crown  ri* 
maiaed  in  hi»  family  but  for  one  generation  after  his  death  ;  it 
only  defccndrd  to  his  fon  Nadab  :  aod  then  Baafh;:,  that  was  of  a- 
nother  family,  took  it  ;  and  it  remained  in  his  poftcriiy  but  on« 
generation  after  hif  diiath  :  and  »hen  Zlcari,  that  w^s  his  fr.rv.^R!, 
and  not  of  bis  posterity,  took  it  *,  and  then,  without  defccndirg  kt 
all  to  his  po^eriiy,  O^r*,  that  was  of  aaother  family,  took  it ; 
and  the  crown  continued  in  his  family  for  three  fuccedions  :  an4 
thea  Jehu,  that  xvas  of  another  family,  tock  it  ;  and  the  crown 
continued  ia  his  family  for  thrgc  or  four  fucceliions  :  and  ihca 
Sballuw,  that  was  oi  another  family,  lock  it :  and  the  crown  did 
cot  difcead  at  all  to  his  pofteriiy  ;  but  Mcnahcra,  that  was  of  ano- 
thtr  family,  took  it  ;  aud  it  remained  in  his  family  but  one  gere- 
latioji  after  hisn  :  and  then  Fckah,  ihat  was  of  another  fatn/iy, 
took  it  ;  aud  afjc  himH^fhea,  that  was  f^ill  of  another  family, took 
it  :  fo  greil  a  diffejencc  w.^s  there  between  the  crowti  of  Ifrsc!,  and 
the  cro^'D  of  Jud  .h  ;  the  one  was  continfed  evctmorc  in  the  fame 
family,  and  with  very  little  interruption,  in  one  right  line  {  the 
other  w2»coniiriU3l5y  tofTed  sbout  frooi  one  family  to  another,  as 
if  it  were  the  fport  of  fortune.  The  rcafon  was  not,  fcccatefc  the 
Itingi  of  Judab,  many  of  them,  were  better  than  the  kings  of  Ifra-' 
cl ;  but  the  one  hid  the  blcffing  in  xhttn  ;  tbcy  were  the  ancitllori 
of  Chrift,  whofe  right  it  w^i  to  fu  on  the  ihrone  of  If  ae'.  But 
wkih  the  kings  of  Ifracl  it  was  rot  fo  ;  and  therefore  r,vin«  Pro» 
vidcnce  cxercifcd  a  CGnti.iualcare,4hrough  all  tKe  charge*  that  hap. 
pened  through  fo  many  genepaiiors,  and  fuch  4  lor  jr  fpsceof  tirDc, 
to  keep  the  crown  of  jjdah  io  one  dire<fl  line,  i  i  fu  fiUncr.t  cf  the 
cvcrlafling  covenant  he  hai  mcide  with  Divid,the  mccics  of  vrhicli 
covenant  were  fu:e  n-.erciei  ;  but  in  the  other  cafe  theie  wat  n0 
fuch  covenant,  sn J  fo  no  fjch  care  of  Providence. 

Here  it  muii  not  be  omitted,  that  there  wai  once  a  very  firong 
coafpirzcy  of  the  kings  of  Syria  an4  IfracI,  ia  the  time  of  that 

wicked 


i?i«  Wof  fc  of  R  E  D  E  M  F  T  I O  H.  t^ 

Mckid  Ifing  of  Jud^h,  Ahrz,  to  d£fpc:Tr^fj  Ahazand  hii  famity  sf 
the  throne  of  ]  adat^,  xud  to  fci  one;  of  SDOttcr  family,  even  tb« 
£on  •.^  T^tjca!,  on  it ;  s*  you  m^y  itt  in  If.  vil.  6.  ••  Let  us  go 
vp  agaiu'C  jud^h,  «nd  v:x  it,  and  Ui  us  make  a  breach  ihcrcla  for 
U5»  an.J  fst  a  kiiig  in  iht  midft  cf  it,  even  ihe  foa  of  T«bcal.'« 
Aad  they  fccmod  v^ry  likely  to  «ecoa:pJ:ih  their  piurpofe.  Thcr« 
fcrcoed  io  b«  fo  great  «  likelihood  ci  ii,  that  th«  tesrts  of  ibt  pco- 
p?c  funk  within  ibee^i  ;  tht.y  g&vs  up  t'ue  caufc,  It  ii  fatd,  "  The 
bczn  of  ^hf7^  and  hii  people  was  mcvfid  as  th«  trees  cf  the  wood 
ire  moved  with  the  wind,"  On  this  occafion  God  fent  the  pro- 
phet ifiiih  to  cacouragc  the  people^  and  ic\l  ihcm  ihvt  it  fiiculd  ttO» 
•omc  to  pafs.  Artd  beciufc  it  Jooksd  (a  much  like  a  gone  «aufe, 
thaiAhas  tsd  the  pcopl«  wcuH  very  diiTicdttly  believe  ihai  it  would 
•ot  be,  thcr«for«  God  dlrc^*  the  pFop'^ict  to  give  ihem  tbiffign  oi 
h,  viz*  that  Chrif.  (houM  be  born  of  th«  Ugal  feed  of  Ahax  :  a» 
If.  vii.  14.  **  Therefor*  the  Lord  himfcK  Iball  gha  you  3  figr;  : 
"  Bchoid,  a  virgin  (fcall  eonceiy*,  and  bear  a  fo^,  ar:d  (hall  call 
his  name  Emi^SRuel."  This  W3«  a  good  fign,  si-d  a  great  confiyrrsa* 
tioa  of  the  truth  cf  what  God  promifed  by  lUUh,  viz,  thtt  the 
kings  of  Syria  and  Ifrscl  fhould  never  accoirpUJh  their  piirpofe  of 
difpoffefiifjg  the  fataily  of  Ahai  of  the  $rcv/nof  Jti^ah,  and  fetdng 
up  th€  fon  of  Tabcal  ;  fcr  Chrii^k  the  Iram^pu^I  wzi  so  be  cf  thein* 

I  have  mentioned  this  difptnfation  of  Prcvldcnss  in  this  f^zcsg 
iecauft  though  it  w^s  continuid  f»r  fo  lc:.|  a  tiac,  yet  it  began  ia 
•olc^on's  fucccfTicn  to  the  throst  of  hit  father  Divid, 

JCII.  Tne  n«t  thing  I  w^sid  tike  Ba{ice  of  is,  the  buiMiiig  ot 
the  tcmpU  :  a  great  ty^e  cf  thrc-5  thing?,  vfx.  of  Chtiil,  trffccially 
the  human  nstwrc  of  thrift ;  of  the  cl:ufch  of  Chrif^ ;  and  of  heaven. 
The  t^bernack  fccmed  yaihis-  to  repTcfcn:  tijc  church  in  in  ircvcable, 
chaDgeable  i'iatc,  here  in  this  worJd.  But  ihst  be?uriuil,  gloricu*^ 
coftly  ftrudure  cf  the  tsxph,  \h  \t  fuG:ecd£d  the  t;»bem^c!e,  and 
wa»  a  fixed,  and  not  a  movcsbk  thing,  fcesis  efpcctally  to  rcpre- 
fent  the  chtirsh  in  ies  gJarificd  ftrc  in  heavi-n.  This  temple  wai 
built  according  to  the  pattern  iho'To  by  the  Holy  Ghofl  to  David, 
and  by  divine  dirccflioB  given  t©  Dav'.d,  In  the  pbce  where  \rii$  th« 
threflbiog- floor  of  O^nao  ih:t  J<;buiVe,  in  M:;';ni  Mori^h,  2  Chroo» 
iii.  1.  ;  in  the  fame  oiountaiii,  and  uoubticis  in  the  very  fione  phcCn 
%btrc  AbnhaaQ  ofYired  up  his  fou  L''»r>c  ;  for  that  is  faid  ta  be  « 
ttounuio  in  the  hnd  of  Monnb..  Gen-  xxii.  2  which  mctntaia 
was  called  tkt  mountain  ef  thi  Lari,  ai  fiiis  mount-iia  of  the  tcmpk 
Was,  Otis.  XX.:.  14  *'  And  Abjvhsm  ca!lct?  l^c  natae  of  that  placs 
Jckovah  ji-reh  ;  as  it  a  faid  to  this  d;y.  In  the  mouat  of  the  Lord 
k  (hill  be  foen."  * 

This  was  the  boufs  where  Ch4fl  dvrel',  till  he  came  to  dvte?!  m 
tke  temple  of  kb  body^  or  kMmsa  D^tMtc^  vkich  nu  t^  ^ntctyp^ 


9«  A    Fi  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

of  this  Icmp'e  ;  zs  appears,  bc-sufc  Chiifl,  on  occa.^on  of  Avowing 
him  ihc  tcar.pic  of  Jerufakm,  fayj»,  *'  Dcftroy  this  teniple,  snd  i^ 
three  days  will  1  raife  it  up,"  fpsakiag  of  the  tstrple  of  his  bof^y, 
John  ii.  19.  20.  This  houf^,  cr  an  houfe  built  in  ibis  phcc,  con- 
tinued to  be  the  houfe  of  God,  the  place  of  the  worHiip  of  hig 
church,  till  Chrift  came.  Here  was  ihc  place  that  God  chofe,whcre 
all  their  facrifices  were  offere  j  up,  titl  the  great  facrifice  c?:me,  sari 
mada  the  facrifice  and  oblation  to  ceafe.  into  bis  temple  in  thii 
place  the  Loid  came,  even  the  meflcngcr  of  the  covenant.  Here 
fee  oficn  delivered  his  heavenly  doftifine,  and  wrought  miracles  1 
bcrc  his  church  was  gathered  by  the  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit,  aftar 
his  afcenfioc.  Luke  xxir,  53.  fpcsking  of  the  'difciplcs,  after 
Chriri'i  afcenfioa,  it  is  faid,  **  Acd  they  wer«  continually  in  the 
lecnple,  praifing  and  blefiiDg  God."  And,  AAsii,46.  fpcaking 
>©f  the  muhitudes  that  were  converted  by  that  great  outprouring  of 
the  Spirit  that  was  on  the  day  of  Pcntecoft,  it  is  faid,  **  And  they 
conlinutd  duly  with  one  accord  in  the  itraplc."  And,  Ads  v.  42. 
fp<.ikiog  of  che  apcn:'es,  "  And  daily  in  tbc  temple,  and  in  every 
houfe,  tbcy  cc^u'eJ  not  to  t^ach  and  preach  Jefus  Chrift."  Henci 
the  iound  cf  the  gofptl  went  tortb,  and  the  church  fpread  into  ail 
the  world. 

XUI.  It  is  here  worthy  to  be  cbf:i»ved,  that  at  this  time,  Ii 
Solomor/s  reign,  after  the  temple  was  finifhed,  tbc  Jcwifh  churcij 
was  rifen  to  it*  highcft  external  glory.  The  Jswiih  churchy  or  ihs 
«r-<'r3»ace3  and  con  ft  hwt  ion  of  it,  is  compared  to  the  mcon,  in 
Rfev.  xii.  I.  **  And  there  appeared  a  gfcat  wonder  in  heaven,  a 
woman  clothed  wiih  the  fun,  and  the  moon  vmder  her  f^et,  and 
wpon  her  ^tsd  a  crown  of  twelve  ftara."  As  this  churdi  vm%  like 
tkcmuon  in  m^ay  othtr  rcfpcds,  fo  it  was  in  this,  that  it  waxed 
and  waned  i;ke  ,tfec  moon.  From  the  firPt  foundation  of  it,  ihj«t 
was  laid^n  the  ccvexant  made  with  Abraham,  when  thij  moon  was 
now  beginning  to  appear,  it  had  to  this  time  been  gradually  ia- 
creafiig  in  its  glory.  This  time,  wherein  the  temple  was  f^nifhed 
&rA  dedicated,  was  about  the  middle  bttwecn  the  calling  of  Abrahasj 
and  the  coming  of  Chrift,  and  now  it  was  full  moon»  After  this 
the  glory  of  the  jcwiih  church  gradually  decreased,  till  €hri/l  came ; 
ai  I  (hsll  have  occa^cn  more  particularly  to  obfcrve  afterwards, 

Wow  the  ckturch  of  Ifrael  was  in  its  hfgheO  external  glory:  Now 
Ifrael  was  mu!tiplied  exceedingly,  fo  that  they  feemei  to  have  be- 
oowclike  the  fand  on  the  fea  fhorc-,! Kings  iv,20.Now  the  kiugdom 
of  Ifrac!  v^u  firmly  e*^abHflK^  in  the  right  family,  the  h^iily  of 
whichCb'ifl  vifss  to  cone  :  No'v  GcJ  hr-i  cbofcn  tht  city  w!:ert  he 
would  pl^ce  bit  naajt  :  Nj>v  God  had  fti'.iy  givf»  his  piopla  lh« 
poffeliioii  of  the  promifcd  Unil ;  and  icy  now  poffeiTed  tha  domi-' 
ai©n  of  it  all  in  (j^icsiicfs  §pd  peace,  %v9fi  from  the  river  of  Kgypt* 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  ^i 

•o  sire  ^reat  river  Euphrates  ;  all  thofe  nations  nUt  bad  formerly 
been  their  caemics,  quietly  fubmlitcd  lo  them  ;  cone  prctend«d  to 
•«hc!  afi^inft  ihcm  : — Notr  ihajewifh  wcrlhip  in  all  its  ordinancei 
was  faily  fctt!-J  : — No«r,  leftcad  of  a  moveable  tent  and  taber- 
nacle, ih«y  ha^  a  glorious  teirplc  ;  the  moft  magnificent,  beauti- 
ful, aad  coftfy  ftru^lurc,  that  thtrc  was  then,  ever  h«d  bctn,  or  ever 
has  betn  fiiice  :  Nonv,  the  people  ccjoytd  peace  and  plenty,  an  J 
every  man  fat  under  his  vine  and  fig-tree,  eatisg  and  df  ink.iag,and 
making  meriy  as  i  Kings  iv  £0.  : — Now  they  were  ia  the  highcft 
pitch  of  carihly  profpfrity,  filver  being  ss  pleaty  at  ftonci,  and 
iVii  land  ftill  of  gold  and  precious  flonc%  and  other  p'«ci3U3  fcreiga 
commodilie«,  which  wcr€b?ovight  by  Solomon's  (hips  frojn  Ophir; 
and  which  came  from  other  psits  of  th«  world  : — Now  they  had  a 
king  f  cigTiing  over  them  that  was  the  wif::ft  of  men,  and  probably 
thcgresteft  earthly  prince  that  ever  w«s : — Now  iheir  fame  wc.it 
abroid  into  all  the  earth,  fo  that  they  came  from  th2  utmcft  psrif 

'     cf  the  earth  to  fee  their  glory  and  their  happincfi, 

Tbus  God  was  picafcd,  in  ona  of  the  anccftors  of  Chrift,  remark* 
ab>y  to  (hadow  forth  the  king<ioni  of  Chrift  reigning  in  bis  glory. 
Divid,  that  was  a  man  of  war,  a  man  who  had  Ihea  much  Wcod, 
and  wfhofe  life  v/ss  full  of  troubles  2cd  ^on^Atlt,  w^a  more  of  a 
reprefcntaiion  of  Ghrift  in  hii  ftite  ol  ku'.r.iliaiion,his  miiiiani  i\Me, 
wlievcia  he  was  cotaflifiing  with  his  ensonics.  But  Sdomon,  thai 
VfLi  a  man  of  peace,  was  a  rcprefentation  more  cfpeciJly  of  GUxift 
esalted,  triumphing,  and  reigning  in  his  kingdom  of  ptace.  And 
the  bjppy  glodous  ftate  of  the  Jcwifb  church  at  th?t  time,  did  re- 
markably reprcfent  two  things :  i.  That  g'o^ious  ftitc  of  the  church 
on  earth,  ii.u  fiiall  be  ia  the  Utter  a^'£«  oi  ihc  wcrJd  ;  thofe  daya 
of  peace,  when  nation  ftiall  not  lift  fword  againf:  natioo,  ncr  learn 
war  any  more.  j.  The  future  glorified  ft?.i«  cf  the  church  ia  heaven. 
The  earthly  Canaan  never  was  fo  lively  a  type  of  the  heavtdy 
Canaan,   ai  it  was  then,  when  ihs  happy  people  of  IfracJ  did 

'^'  indeed  enjoy  it  as  a  land   flowing  vvi'.h  aiii^  and  honfy. 

XIV.  AJter  this  the  glory  of  thejewilli  church  gr^tiu^Jly  declined 
more  and  more  till  Chri/t  cAine  ;  yet  not  fo  bit  ihm  lijc  ^rork  o£ 
r&Jemplion  till  v/ent  on,  Wnattver  falkd  or  deciir:eu,  God  f^iij, 
carried  on  this  work  from  age  to  ?gc  ;  ihb  Luiidirg  ^a§  fli'l  ad- 
Yancing  higher  and  higher.  Thisgi  ftiii  vvcnt  on,  during  itr  de- 
elins  of  the  Jewiih  church,  lownrds  a  further  prcparatic*:  of  thingi 
for  the  comin*  of  Cbrift,  as  well  as  durinj-»  its  int^c^ff;  ;  for  fo 
wonderfully  wcr«  tilings  ordered  by  the  ictiiiircly  wik  jiwcrror  of 
the  world, that  whatever  hap;,er.cd  wrs  ordered  for  go^d  to  tU'p  j^e* 
Bcr<ildcftgn,and  made  a  mCaDS  of  p-ctiiolivigir.Wi  ea  tha  pco>'eal 
thcJ«*-8flouTifhcf^,«ind  were  it  prof  pc:rity, he  made  tj-st  toe  rtrrbr.rc 
IP  the  pfomoiingthis  dcng«  ;  and  whea  :hcy  were  h  advcrfty,G;>J 
Ml*  ^4*  9)i^  ^^  t»^Uu;m«  t^  ^  QUfyli'^  Q.i  ef  it?  fame  i-f;^ 


f^ ,  A    H  I  S  T  O  r  Y    of 

While  ll<e  Jivf  iih  a„?.vh  wa:  in  it?  IncrcaHng  flare,  the  work  oi 
ffcdcstp'ion  v/a*  carficci  en  by  thsir  i'-iafiafe  ;  and  'Ahtn  ihey  canic 
to  the  if  tiet.!iaing  fufc,  nhiub  ibey  W«i."C  ^.n  irom  Sofomua's  V.inz 
exU  ChriO,  Goiil  cjrrie  j  au  the  w«j«"k  o?  i.^iemp»5r,  r-y  iJiat.  Thai: 
decline  kfclf  v^s  o^c  ih^'og  that  (jraci  made  ufc  of  ai  a  furt]:Sf 
prcpiratijn  for  Chrifi  ♦  tomiug. 

A«  the  naooa,  from  ihc  time  c*  f(f  fuil,  is  approacl^jf^g  nerrci 
jjpd  nearer  to  htr  cc-njiJ»icti'op  uj*h  the  fun;  fo  her  ii$^ht  is  ftiH 
moie  and  cnre  cJccrtafiDg,  illl  at  length,  wbea  ib.Q  conjunction 
copes,  it  13  wholly  f^jtl/ow^J  t'p  in  lbs  ligh!  of  the  fun.  So  it 
was  \7!*h  i5'<  JtNvii;']  church  {;<•»  <he  timr:  of  in  bightft  glory  in 
^oloroor/g  time,  !n  its  iatrer  tnd  ot  Selosnon's  rtign,  the  ftatc 
of  thing*  t)i'giii  t.:  d-rh;?n,  by  2olojr  oi's  coirupsiDjt;  birafclf  wiih 
idoUiry,  \fthfch  inucii  obicurcd  the  glory  of  this  crJ.gbty  and  wile 
prince  ;  ar^d  \yitha*l  '.roubka  began  to  jirifc  in  his  kiiigdom  ;  and 
after  his  d^ath  the  kingdom  was  divided,  znd  tf.Ti  Uit:f%  revchcd, 
and  withdjev,'  ihtU  ii{bjc.''ca  from  the  htLie  ol  David,  wiihal 
ifalUng  away  frcna  ibc  tri:^  vroriJiip  of  God  in  ihe  lesEplc  ;»t  Jeru- 
ialcm,  2nd  uifisg  up  the  goMen  calve*  of  Bethel  «nd  P>in»  PiC- 
fatly  after  ibis  the  cumber  cf  ihe  t^ii  :ribex  'A-aa  gs-esiJy  d'aninidted 
ia  the  baitlc  cf  J-'rcboaai  v^iih  Abij;ih,  wherein  ilctc  icll  down 
flair!  of  Ifratltive  husdred  shoufaritl  chofer  rr.Ci-)  ;  which  lofs  ihc 
"kiDgdotn  of  ifriti  probably  never  ja  ac  y  Lscsfuve  rvcoycrcd. 

The  ten  tribes  Mr. ^'Hyiipot^&tifid  from  th&  true  God  uudcr  Jero- 
|>oac3i,  and  the  lirigdooi  oi  Jiuhh  wss  gscaiiy  corrupted,  and  frc-i^ 
th^ttltae  forvvajd  wer*  more  gcneraiiy  ia  3i  corrupt  fiaie  than  o- 
filicivi'ife.  Id  Ahab's  time  the  kirigdotn  of  Ifrael  did  not  cnJy  \rorr 
iliip  the  cak'?:a  of  Ktth?!  and  Dan,  but  the  worflsip  of  Eaal  wa«  in- 
troduced. Before  vlcy  pretended  to  vroifiap  the  {rue  God  by  thtfc 
images,  the  calves  of  Jeroboam  ;  but  now  Ahab  intiodiiced  grofj 
Idoiatty,  anjj  the  direct  worjlr.p  of  fajfc  gods  io  the  room  of  ihc 
true  God  ;  and  x^oon  after  the  wofiLip  of  Ba?.J  was  introduced  intcd 
the  kinjj -otn  cf  jidab^  vi*'.  in  jcboraui'a  reign,  by  hi«  marzyiji^ 
AEhilish;  ♦Lc  daughter  of  Ahsb.  Afscr  this  GoJ  began  to  cut  Ifr^el 
fec:t^  by  buAly  ^U'- J^^ying'  srtl  /tndJog  into  captiviiy  ihatpsri  cf 
the  hf?d  ihnt  vvas  btvcnd  jfvckyrii  tt  you  may  fee  in  2  Kings  ar.  33 
^c,  Anr^"  ihcr.  ?a-ic.' tb\3  T/gJath-Pilezcr  fubdued  and  capjivaitd 
ali  the  no^•^ie^n  paris  cf  the  !aad  ;  2  Kings  xv.  29,  and  ihea  a?  hfl 
sU  ih«  Ia:Ml  of  Ve  teri  tribes  was  fubdiisti  by  Saimaiiefer,  aad  they 
were  fi7.,-i:\y  carried  czpzh'c  cut  of  tlacir  oif a  land.  Afier  this  Ufo 
ihe  km^cicei  of  Jurfah  w&»  csrr led  eapijve  into  Dabylcn,  snd  a 
Srcai  psfi  Gt  jhc  natioo  never  rctuf:ied.  Thofe  that  retuf^ed  v^era 
iisut  s  ir.i:fi  nucibcr,  cottpaited  with  what  had  been  carri^ captive  : 
arid  for  5':«  moil  pari  afi<*r  this  they  were  eependans  on  the  pc\y^ 

t9 


the  Work  of    R  £  I)  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  93 

io  ibz  Siona-chy  of  the  Grecians,  smJ  ihcii  to  the  Romarw.  And 
before  Chrii^'s  time,  ihc  cbujcb  of  the  Jew*  was  Icccti.^  exceeding 
corrupt,  over  run  with  fupcffiiiion  and  fclfrigh.coufncfs.  How 
fmall  a  fl  jck  sr&s  the  churcli  of  CnriTt  ia  the  day*  of  his  incarnation  I 
God,  by  this  gradual  tkclinc  of  ihe  Jcwin*  .'tatc  anu  chufch  ficia 
Solomon '•  time,  prepared  the  way  for  the  coming  of  Chtiil  fcvcral 
uayi. 

1.  The  decline  of  \\)S  glory  rf  this  legs!  difptnfation,  made 
Yf&y  for  the  introdudion  of  fhc  more  glorioua  difpcnfiiios  of  the 
gofpcl.  Th::  decline  of  the  glory  of  the  legal  difpenfstion,  waf 
to  make  way  for  the  inirodudion  ci  ihc  evangelic -y.  difpcnfation, 
that  was  fo  much  raorc  glorious,  ihat  the  lega^/'^^ni  •*v^;ion  hsd  no 
glory  in  comparifon  with  it.  The  glory  of  *i  --H  'nt  difpenfa' 
lion,  fuch  as  it  was  in  Solomon's  time,  confiH*^^^'  fe^mech  in  ci- 
tcrnal  glory,  was  but  a  childifc  glory,  compared  with  the  fpi»  itual 
glory  of  the  difpcnfd'.ion  iatroduscd  by  Cfarirt.  The  church, 
undci-  the  Old  Tsfiiimeat,  was  a  child  under  tutors  and  govcrnorSj 
»rjd  God  derih  vsritu  it  as  a  child.  Thofc  pompous  ext:rn«1s  arc 
tpalied  by  the  apofilc,  zveak  and  beggarly  sisvisntt.  It  was  tit  th^t 
tbofc  things  fhovld  bcdiciinifbcd  a;<  Cbf!i\  appioachcd  ,  as  John 
the  Bsptlit,  the  fore-runutr  of  Chrii^,  fpeafeing  of  Chi:i'>,  f^ys, 
'*  He  mu<^  in«f  eafc,  but  I  miif^  decreafe,"  Jehu  iii.  30.  It  is  fi| 
that  the  twinkling  {\ax%  ftiould  gradually  withdraw  their  glory, 
vthcn  the  f'jn  is  approachijig  towards  his  rifing.  The  glory  oi  the 
Jcwifhdifperiiation  muft  bs  f;radu2Hy  diminiftedj  10  prepare  th« 
way  iorihi*  n'-orc  joyft'.'  rcccplion  cf  ilic  fpiriual  &*ory  of  the  gof- 
f^eh  If  the  Jcvifli  church,  vi^hcn  Ciuift  cainc,  I^ad  been  in  tha 
fame  cKtcrrj?i  glory  that  it  wss  in,  in  the  reign  of  Solomon,  mea 
wrould  havchrJ  ibeii  eyes  fo  dsz/'.fcd  wi4h  it,  '-hst  thsy  would  fret 
bivebesn  liitdy  j.'>yfulJy  So  crrhangs  fuch  grcai  cztt:.:aa!  gbiy, 
for  ori?y  the  fpiri?ual  «:;bry  of  the  poor  defoifcd  Jcfus.     Agaic^ 

2.  This  gradual  decline  cf  the  g»oiy  a>f  ths  Jcwlfh  l^alc,  teadci 
to  prepare  rhc:  way  for  Chri.n's  comifij;  another  way,  vi^.  as  it 
tended  10  D3akc  the  glor)'  of  God's  power,  in  the  %'t^t  elfctli  cf 
CbriA**.  redemption,  the  more  confpicuows.  viod'i  people's  b::ing 
fo  ri'ffliniibcd  and  weskcncdby  cie  I'^ep  afie?  another,  till  Cor:?t 
fame^  was  vsty  much  like  rhcdimini&ing  Gldcoe's  \rmy,  Goi 
told  Giucoe,  that  the  people  ih*t  was  Tilth  hiu3,  was  too  otany  fcx 
himtodcliver  thi  Midiantri*  into  their  hsadi,  kft  Ifracl  fhould 
vaunt  ihcosftlves  sgainfi  him,  f*yikjg»  **  My  own  hsnd  hp.th  favfd 
me."  Thcref'jre  all  ibac  were  fearful  were  coamanded  to  rtVivo  ; 
and  there  retufned  I wcniy  aad  two  tboBfai:d,  in4  tbere  fciaalaci 
lea  thoufand.  £ut  flill  they  were  too  msny  ;  aad  then,  'uy  trying 
the  peo)»Ie  at  ibe  water,  they  were  rcdnccd  to  ihue  h::pdrcd  bicb, 
<s  |h?  pco|,lf  y|  S^ii^agft  S  ^ij.c  ircfC  t?f  t&s:^v^  §8v  xi^ghty  anrf 


fi  A    H  I  S  -^^  '^-  ■•  Y 


■  ■  iji-iij) 


iag  off  the  ten  u iha  ;  aqd  ihc.i  he 'cJlauiiifhs-i  tE;!!;.  sg?V!n  tTy  the 
caj-'Uvity  itjio  H^byJoTi  ;  rni  iV^r.  i~ii:y  v»evc  fufia^roiajii^jiicd  Ly 
th:;  g:r:>.:  :i-d  gjricralie::!:-^:  ->  :h  ■:  :^.l:"e  Vi^s  lihCr^  Chriir  c*\Be  ; 
fothitChrifi  idund  Vv  lOiig  th'cci  :'  and 

iviib  a  fonsH  h.ii^fu?  c,    .:-.-.._..„,    ^ „,.  .uc:;cJ  ifi6'  vvcrM. 

Thvg  highjtl^ags  .vyers?  brQu^;b^  dp-^'n,  ihiiCkrift  mj^ht^be  Cicsh^d* 
■    3.  Thhpr.-       .'   '  '     CLuAS  cGDuiri^/;'^^  K 'cft^deihe 

falvaHofi  of  (  -  -     .^.vcd  by  Cbiitt^  l'?'b<l',ii:'0'td  feu- 

nbk  ?ijd  viJjb  ^  ,;,a  ^hc  git^UT  ^^irt  of  the   n^-u'da   of  kb3 

Js«'3  wag  fcj  ',-  .  •  ^^'k^.^^^i^  cX.t6 Jii.^iLt^h  fo'im  i,"^ 6^  ihcTt 
ivcre  a!  g>\.      /«*     '-"-.. ::'  .a  thai'wcrc  TciV".d  by  ChUf! 

afetrhl^^  :     ■  •  >^  \^  -^S}^'^i  They  besrg   t:^li;cn   r>oa>  lb 

l-i^vs?!-       "^'    ^'^«!pcrilc';.  .-ci:  bondage •.>?hfcK:>n-;ans, 

andiior.  j&^<?2^   rup^i-^ii-iivv'  SiiJ   ^i-Ickcdacfs,' IJy:^:   the 

JiwJfh  t;  iben  f^iie:;^  :f-?o  i  ::  ii:a;iit  their  fijJciiipi'on  the 

anr-rs  fcn^biy  £::a  vlfibiy  ^Tcfli/u-?. 

I'hsivt  E:.kc:n  r:ciic£of  this  difi^cnru:!^:'  ''  ■:.:;.  l;!^ucc  ).>  she 
•radua*  dtcUm  of  th'^  Jsajfii  chtifca  in  thb  pj*icc>  bscaufu  ii  bt-gsa 
is  the  reign  of  Si>lGtacD. 

XV.  i  \v<Mi\dhcrt  i<ikar:o*^.cs  of  lbs  sJaJ-iu:*^  tl^at  were  m.-^o-r 
lo  tb«  catnon  of  Tcripvure  in  pr  fooa  s^i^r  thdiesj^a  of  oo'orcion. 
There  ^^tr^  covjfiitr^ble  addfilpas  n^sje  by  ^c.iomou  hbiifelf,  wHo 
wroic  fb:Lc'Qks  of  Pfovcrfas  snd  ticcfcf-artcs,  pi-.b^bly  nsitr  ihc 
«lof£  cf  hiiiei^;^.  His  writbg  the  Scug  of  Sor^s  as  ft  h  ca^Icdj 
B  whst  is  cfptchl!y  hue  to  bs  taken  notice  of,  uhich  i:»  whcUy  oh 
ihe  iubjcvJl  thai  w*  xrfi  upon,  v>*?-  Cbrin  end  hrs  feci«:mp»onj 
reprcfenurg  the  w^gh  and  glorious  reialfon,  and  ur-io:?,  and 
lcv«,  that  is  between  Chritl  and  his  rcflcexcd  church.  Anc^ 
the  h:f*ory  of  the  fcripiure  f^scms,  in  Solomon's  reign,  ar^d  foi^e 
of  Vne  FC£t  fuccfsding  rcijns,  to  have  bacn  added  to  by  the;  pro* 
fhtH  Nsthsn  and  Ahij:;b;  andSbsmaiah  snd  Iddo.  It  b  proba- 
lU  xh-it  part  of  lis  hiitory  which  vye  hsvc  in  the  firil  of  Kingi,  wai 
Wi-itcti  by  ihcra,  by  what  h  faid  2  Chrcn.  fs.  29,  and  in  clup  iii, 
J5.  and  incbap.  kIH.  £at. 

XVI.  G.)d'3  wonueffu"y  uphc!clbf^  Jj's  c!:urch  a?id  the  ?ruc  re- 
lijion  thrc'uj'^h  this  period.  It  was  very  Vfondcrful,  conndcring 
i>he  msny  and  greii  apoi^afics  thsi  tbeie  were  of  ttzi  p€*7ple  to  ido- 
Utry.  VVh«D  -he  ten  f?iba»  had  generally  and  finally  forfakcn  the 
true  vroff^-iip  oKJ-^d^  God  kept  up  the  true  religioa  in  i!;e  kmi^dcos 
of  Jud<jh;  ^nd  trhcn  tb<y  corrtspfcd  thcaifelvcs,  as  thsy  ve.y  ofien 
^fd  ei'Cfccdingiy,  and  idolstry  was  ready  totally  lo  fwallow  a!t  up, 
yn  Or^^J  k«tpi  uic  lansp  alive,  and  was  often  pIe<ifod  v^i.cti  tbitigs 
feemed  t?  te  come  io  an  crtreaiity,  and  rcligicn  at  ira.  laft  gafp# 
to  grant  blcfTcd  'tvivih  by  remarkable  out  pourings  of  his  Splri*^ 


the  \y^rk.  of    I^E  B  E  M  P  T  I  O  rf .  ^f 

XVI',     r.r.!  r^n-'.rTf:i!i\' tcpt  ihc  hc-»l^of  ihcUw   ffCiH  btif/J 
kit :  g  contioi^Cv^  rtjcc^  <>f  a^d  ctunitv 

a^^ln.-  ;\  '    "      :'■  of  ihi>  kicj  ihai  wahivc, 

Hiis  ite  p  jvf  in  rbc  linao  of  the  fieat 

apclsfy  cuili"^; '-ii*  f^jca?c:>'i  ^  .  -^^i  rtf^u  of   M;i»i^rih, 

whiah  L!n^(Kii>y-fi¥«  yc"^r5,  --  ::fir  tbat.ihc  iciga  of  Aai*n 

h?5  i'  .:.  This  while  ihc  book  qf  ihc  !a.y  wm  (q.  jnych  r.C2'eft««<, 
snJ  f.jch  a  cirwlcfjiand  profans  psnjgcicnt  of  tli«  affalri  of  the 
Utnpk  prcvsiipJ,  that  thc-bock  of  Jh«  laT,  that  uf'2  to  be  hid  up 
by  the  fidsof  tie  srk  ia  ihc  Roly  cf  Ho^es,  waj  Iqil  for  a  long 
time ;  nobody  >n£>v  whcrs  jt  was.  But  yet  God  pr:/erv£(i  it  from 
.jbcing  liaa'ly  IojI.  ,  I^  JoHin  .1  time,  wbsn  they  csme  to  itpair  the 
temple,  it  A'as  found  lurhtd  in  lubbldi,  after  it  ha4  been  left  fo 
long  t'cst  Jofiah  hia'.felf  fe-itns  tohayc  uea  much  aftranjcrla  it  till 
now.     Sec  2  Kfars  xkI'u  8.  &c.    5 

XVIIl.  Gdfi't  rctaarkibly  prcfsrving  ihe  tribe  of  which  Chrlft 
was  to  proceed,  from  bdcg  rui.ned  through  the  many  and  great  daa- 
gcrs  of  this  period.  The  viflblc  church  of  Cl^rift  fio'ci  So!omon*j 
fcign,  wa»,  wainly  in  the  tribe  cf  Judah,  The  tribe  of  Bccjaoiin, 
that  was  ^hntxcA  to  them,  was  but  a  very  fmall  tribe,  and  the  lrib« 
©f  Judab  excc2d!ng  large  ;  and  as  Ji-dah  took  Benjamin  under  his 
covert  when  he  went  inloEgypt to  briaji;cDra,fo  the  tribe  of  BcRJa* 
mia  fecincd  toLei.pder  the  jov&rt  ct  Judah  ever  after  ;  and  tbonjfi^ 
on  occafioa  of  Jerobo5ia^fr:tling  up  the  calvei  at  Bethel  and  Djb, 
the  Levitei  reformed  to^-^lout  of  2II  the.iribes  of  Ifrael  (iChra* 
xi.  13.);  yet  tbty  wire  'sifo  fmati,  and  not  reckoned  among  the 
Uibss  ;  and  ihc.ugh  m^.ny  of  the  ten  tribes  did  3lfo  on  that  o€«afioB, 
for  the  fake  of  i:he  word'  Ip  cf  God  iu  the  teaplc.lcavc  tbeir  ifiheri- 
tsnces  in  ih«fr  fe^-er^)  uibej,  and  ri:aicv«d  and  fettled  im  Judah, 
?aid  fo  were  iniTOJporatcJ  y»uh  theai,  ss  we  hive  sccowit  In  ths 
chapter  jolt  quoted,  and  i6th  venc  ;  yet  th:  trib*  ©f  Juilah  wsi  fa 
Ciuch  th«  pr«v«»i!ir.j/  part,  that  ib^y  v/';.}:c  called  by  one  nswe,  they 
ircre  called  yudak  :  there  fcr?  God  fa  id  to  Saloiacn,  1  Ki»f5  xi. 
I  j#  "  I  will  not  rend  Hwjiy  3JI  <ha  kingr?om  ;  but  will  givt  ent 
iribe  to  thy  foa,  for  D?vi  i  my  ifj7inx's  (aks,  and  Vr  Jeruffifta'j 
fake,  which  I  have  cbofcn,"  atad  fo  vcr.  52.56^  £0  whrn  tht  ten 
tribea  were  carried  csprtve,  it  U  hli,  there  was  none  left  but  the 
tribe  of  Judah  only  :  2  Kings  xvil-  i3  "  There fnrs  the  Lor^  was 
very  wroth  with.  Ifracl,  and  removed  them  out  of  Lis  fight ;  there 
wai  none  left  but  the  tribe  o^  Judab  only."  VV'hcncc  they  were  all 
•ailed  ytwf,  which  is  a  wo;  i  th?ii  comes  from  Judah, 

This  was  the  tr'bcof  which  Chrift  was  to  ccme  ;  and  in  thfi 
•hiefly  did  God's  vifjblc  church  cocfiil,  fromSjlomon'i  time  :  and 
this  was  the  people  ovc  whoa  ths  kings  that  wxjc  legal  anccftorf 
•f  O^rift,  aud  were  of  tkcjjoufc  ff  D&vid,  reigacd.    This  people 


^6  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

vai  won-ferfully  prefcrved  frosj  def^ru^lion  during  thft  period, 
when  th«y  often  fccaicd  to  be  upon  the  brink  hf  rurn,ynd  juft  rea- 
dy to  he  fvvallovTcd  up.  So  it  was  in  Rchobcacn's  time,  when 
$hifli<k  king  of  Egypt  csmc  agaiafV  Juiah  wirh  fjch  s  vaft  force  ; 
yet  then  Go6  maoi/cftly  prcftrved  them  from  bcirg  def^roycd,  Oi 
this  we  read  in  the  beginning  of  the  12th  chapter  of  2  Chron.  So 
it  wj»  again  in  Abijab's  lime,  when  Jeroboam  fet  ibe  banlc  in  array 
againft  him  with  eight  hundred  tfcoufand  chofcn  men  ;  a  aiighry 
army  indeed.  We  read  of  it,  2  Chron.  xiii.  3. Then  God  wrought 
deliverance  to  Judah,  out  of  regard  to  ibe  covenant  of  grace  eftab- 
Ihl^ed  with  David,  as  is  evident  by  ver  4.  and  5.  ;  and  the  victory 
they  abtained  was  bccaufe  the  Lord  was  on  their  fide,  as  you  may 
fee,  ver.  12  So  it  was  again  inAfa's  time,  whenZ^rah  the  Ethio- 
pian came  ag.iinft  him  with  a  yet  larger  army  of  a  thoufand  thoo- 
ftnd  and  three  hundred  chariots,  zChron.  ativ.  9.  On  this  cccafion 
Afa  cried  to  the  Lord,  and  Iruftcd  in  him,  being  fe:ifJb!e  that  it 
was  nothing  with  him  to  help  thofe  that  bad  no  power  ;  ref.  il, 
•'  And  Afa  cried  wnto  the  Lord  his  God,  and  faid^  Lcrd,  it  is  so- 
ibiDg  with  thcc  to  help,  whether  with  many,  or  wirh  t^.o^etbat  hav« 
»o  povrer."  Accordingly  God  gave  ihem  a  glorious  viBcty  ovet 
this  mighty  hoft. 

So  again  it  wag  in  Jeholbapfca't's  time,  when  the  children  of  Mo* 
sb,  and  the  children  of  Ammos,  andtbj  inbsbitsr.ts  of  MountSeif, 
combined  together  sgaintl  Judah  with  ^  IjijJ^Jy  army.,  a  force  vafl- 
hy  fypefior  to  any  that  Jehefhaphat  ccftlWlifa  :  and  Jchofhaphat 
snd  his  people  were  greatly  afraid :  yet  tbe^  fer  them fc Ires  to  feck 
God  on  this  occafios,  and  ?rufled  in  hiim  ;  n^ii  God  toM  them  by 
ORC  of  his  prcphrt?,  that  they  need  not  fesr  thccn,  nor  ihould  they 
hava  any  occsilosj  Jo  flight  this  battle,  they  ihould  or.Jy  i^aid  uil^ 
and  fee  the  ffeJvation  of  ifee  Lord.  Acc'jrd'.n%  to  his  dircdtion. 
they  only  ftood  Hill,  and  i?ir^^  praifes  to  God,  ind  God  made  their 
enemies  do  the  work  thecDfelvo^,  and  fcf  shcai  so  killirg  one  sno 
2her  ;  and  the  children  of  Judah  htd  nothb^  t^  do,  but  to  gatbef 
the  fpoil,  w-hich  wan  more  than  they  could  carry  away.  Wchavtf 
tht  ftory  in  z  Chron.  xx. 

Jo  it  was  again  in  Ahaz's  6imc,  Tih?n  F^zziTk  ihc  king  of  Syria, 
and  Peksh  the  fonof  R.5maliih,  the  ki-  j*;  cf  Ifr^d,  confpircd  a- 
gaiof^  Jtjdah,  and  fcemcd  to  be  furc  of  their  ^yarpofe  j  of  which  -ac 
have  fpokcfi  already .  So  it  wss  sr,s.in  iu  Hes^kiah'«  time,  whea 
Sesnacbcrib,  thai  grc3t  king  of  Affrris,  and  besd  of  thegrea?c^ 
csjonarflby  that  was  then  in  the  woiMxt'kic  up  agsin^^  aii  the  fenced' 
cities  of  Judah,  after  he  h«d  co:»quercd  cioft  of  the  neij^hbouring 
eouatrlci,  sni  feat  R3t)fci<cch,  the  Siro^rxin  of  b?.9  boil,  agaicjt 
Jarufalecr;,  who  came,  »nd  in  a  very  prcsvJ  and  fcomful  aianaee 
ibf«It«l  Hetel5;iah  a«d  hH  pco|j3cj  as  bcins;  fu^  ©/  v'Q^iy  5  SR^ 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  97 

the  people  were  trembling  for  fear,  like  Iambi  before  a  lion.  Tljen 
Goi  fcnt  Ifaiah  the  prophet  to  cotnfort  them,  and  afTurc  tbcra  that 
Ihcy  Ibculd  not  prevail  ;  as  a  token  of  which  he  gave  ihcm  thii 
%n,  via  that  ihc  cs.-th,  for  two,  3'esrs  fuccelfively,  flboi'ld  bring 
fcs  tb  f ©oi  of  irfcIF,  from  the  roots  of  the  old  ftaiks,  without  their 
plowing  or  owing  ;  snd  then  the  third  year  they  (hould  fo\T  and 
rcip,  anip'ant  viacyArds,  and  cat  ihs  fruit  of  them,  and  live  on 
the  fruits  of  their  labour,  as  they  were  ryont  to  do  before.  See  z 
Kings  xlx,  29.  Ttiis  is  mentioned  as  a  type  of  what  is  promifed 
l:\  ver.  30.  31.  "  And  the  remnant  that  is  efcapcd  of  ihc  houf« 
of  Judah,  (hall  ydl  again  take  root  downward,  and  bear  fruit  up- 
Mrard.  For  out  of  Jtrufaletn  fflall  go  forth  a  rtmnsnt,  and  they 
that  cfcapc,  out  of  Motjot  Zbn  :  the  zt\\  of  th'?  Lord  of  hofl* 
Ihali  do  this."  The  coco's  fpringing  agaia  after  it  had  been  cut  off 
v?hh  the  fick?e,3nd  bringing  forth  mother  crop  from  the  rcctj,  shas 
fecmed  to  be  dead,  and  fo  once  and  agiin,  rcprtfcnts  the  cburch'i 
reviving  again,  as  it  were  out  of  its  own  alhes,  ahd  fiourifhlai^  like 
a  plant  after  it  had  fcemicgly  been  cut  down  pafl  recovery.  Wbca 
the  enemies  of  the  church  have  done  their  utcioO:,  end  fcem"  tc  have 
;^ain«j  their  point,  and  to  have  overthr(>wn  ihe  chu'Ch,  fo  thst  the 
being  of  it  is  fcsrccly  vifible,  btu  like  a  livirg  ro'>t  hid  under 
ground  ;  yet  there  is  a  fecrct  luc  in  it  that  wlJl  csufe  it  to  fi.;uri(h 
again,  and  to  take  root  Qo|fnvf.-ard,  and  bear  J^^ruir  upwi^rd,  Tht« 
Kas  fulfilled  now  at  this  time  :  For  ».he  kitg  of  Alfyrii'  Ip^d  aire  dy 
t?.kcn  and  carried  captive  th-;  ten  tribes  ;  and  Sennacherib  had  alfo 
taken  all  the  fenced  ciiics  of  Jud'h,  and  rangfrd  the  covi.'tiy  ro'.»ndl 
about,  ?nd  Jerufalem  dn^y  tcinained  ;  aod  R  .bfhikeh  h^d  in  hif 
©wn  imagination  already  fv^^illowcd  that  up  as  be  hn^  a  To  in  the 
fearful  appreheonon?  of  thf  Jews  ihemfelves.  Bu'  yet  *"?  >d  wrc'.j;ht 
1  wonderful  deliverance.  Kc  feni  an  argel,  that  >a  one  night  fm  tc 
an  hundred  fourfcorc   snd  five  thoufand  in  the  eremy  s  csrrp 

XIX.  In  thcre'gh  of  Uzi'^h,  and  the  follo»ving  -'.'gn«,  G-^cI 
iras  pl<;*fcd  to  r;ife  up  a  fct  of  eminent  p.ophets,  whc  (h  uld  crm- 
ttjit  their  prcphecicr^io  writing,  and  ''.*;,ive  t^en^  for  fhe  ufe  of  hi« 
church  in  all  agvs.  We  bcf j-c  obfr-vca,  how  ih-tG"^  t~eean  a 
con  A  ant  fuCccifion  of  prophe»s  in  iff  ;c1  in  S^m  ^e^'s  »ini*.,  ^K-d  ma* 
ry  of  thcfe  prophcs  wtotc  by  divine  h-><p>HUott,  an  i  fo  addc'  to 
the  csnon  of  fcripturc  before:  Uzzirh'i  lim:'.  But  none  oi  them  are 
fuppofcd  to  have  written  books  of  prcpheclcs  till  now.  Scvtral 
of  them  wrote  hidories  of  the  wondcr'ul  difpcnfation)  of  O^n  to- 
wards hii  chnrch.  This  we  r. '  ve  ohferv«d  a^re^^'W  of  ShoiucI,  who 
if  ftippofcd  to  have  wsitrtn  Ju^^g^s  an  >  Ru  i),  ;-nc*  parr  of  tKc  fir  ft 
of  S-vmuel.  if  not  the  book  of  ]o(liu-4.  And  Nathan  and  Oai 
fecm  to  have  wriuen  the  reft  of  «he  twr^  book?  o^  Samuel  :  and  Na- 
Iban,  with  Ahijah  and  Iddo,  wrote  the  biftory  of  Scloraon,  which 


9t  A    H  I  S  r  O  R  Y    of 

it  probably  ihst  which  we  have  in  the  firft  book  of  Kingt.  Th« 
hifVory  of  Ifrael  fccoQS  to  have  been  further  carried  on  by  Iddo  and 
Shcmtiah ;  2  Chron.  xii.  15.  **  Now  the  s<f^i  of  RhehoboiOB, 
fi:k  and  Uik,  are  they  not  written  in  the  book  of  Sbemaiah  the 
prophet,  and  Iddo  thefcer,  concerning  gcncaUgiei  ?"  And  after 
that  the  hiftory  fceoji  to  have  been  further  carried  on  by  the  pro- 
phet Jehu,  the  fon  of  Hao^ni  i  2  Chron.  xx.  34.  «*  Now  the  reft 
of  the  adts  of  J-^hofhaphat,  firft  and  laft,  behold  they  art  writtcM 
in  the  book  of  J  ;hu  the  fon  of  Hanani,  who  is  meniioncd  in  the 
book  of  the  kingf  of  Ifrael,"  as  we  find  him  to  be  1  Kings  xvi,  i. 
7.  And  then  it  was  further  continued  by  the  prophet  Ifaiah  :  2 
Chron.  xxvi.  22.  '*  Now  the  reft  of  the  a6^s  of  Uzziah,  firli  and 
lail,  did  Ifsi.ih  the  prophet  the  fon  of  Amos  write  "  He  probably 
did  it  as  well  in  the  fcconci  book  of  King?,  as  in  the  book  of  hii 
prophecy.  And  the  hiitory  was  carried  on  and  fiaiihed  by  oth^f 
prophets    after  hioa. 

Thus  the  prophets,  even  from  Samuel's  time,  had  from  time  to 
time  been  sdding  to  the  cannon  of  fcripiurc  by  iheir  hif^orieal 
writings,  But  now,  in  the  days  of  Uzziah,  did  God  fir/l  raifc  up 
a  fci  of  great  prophets,  not  only  to  write  hiOories,  but  to  write 
bv^oks  of  their  prophecies.  Tlv:  firft  of  ihefe  ii  thought.to  be  Ho- 
fca  the  fon  of  Beeri,  and  therefore  his  Jrophecy,  or  the  word  of 
the  Lord  by  lAm,  is  called  the  beginning  of  the  "word  of  tht  Lord  i 
asHof.  i.  2.  •*  The  beginning  of  the  word  of  the  Lord  by  Hofea  ;" 
that  is,  the  beginning,  or  the  tirft  part,  of  the  written  word  of  that 
kind,  vis.  th^t  which  is  wristen  in  books  of  prophecy.  He  pro- 
ph'-fi'^d  in  the  days  of  Uiziah,  Jotham,  Ahaz,  and  Hczeklah,  kings 
of  Judah,  '.^nd  in  the  days  of  Jeroboam,  the  fon  of  Joafli,  king  of 
Ifr  icL  There  were  many  other  witncfTes  for  God  laifcd  up  abcut 
the  fame  time  to  commit  their  prophecies  to  writing,  Ifaiah,  and 
Amos,  and  Jonah,  and  Micah,  and  Nahuro,  and  probably  fome 
cth^r-  ;  and  fo  from  that  time  forward  God  feemed  to  continue  • 
fucccfiion  of  writing  prophets^ 

This  was  a  great  difpenfation  of  Pforic^encc,  and  a  great  advance 
made  in  the  affixr  of  redemption,  which  appears,  ifwcconfidct 
whit  w^s  faid  before,  that  the  main  bufmefs  of  the  prophets  was  to 
foi  .(hew  Chiift  and  his  redemption.  They  were  all  forerunners  of 
t»jc  great  prophet.  The  main  end  why  the  fpirit  of  prophecy  wu 
g;ven  ti;«m  was,  that  they  might  give  teftimony  to  Jefus  Chrift,  th* 
gi-eat  Redeemer,  that  was  to  come  ;  md  therefore  the  teftimony  of 
Jefus,  and  the  fpirit  of  prophecy,  arc  fpoken  of  as  the  faiaae  thing  : 
Rev.  x\x.  io»  •'  And  I  fell  at  his  feet  to  worfliip  hiia  :  and  he 
faid  unto  me.  See  thou  do  it  not  :  I  am  thy  fellow-fervant,  and  o£ 
thy  brethren  that  have  the  teflimony  of  Jefus  :  worfliip  God  :  for 
the  scflimonY  of  Jcfua  is  the  fpizit  of  prophecy,"    Therefore  wt 

fiad 


ihc  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  ^f 

tiad,  that  the  great  and  main  thing  that  the  mofl  of  the  prophctt 
in  their  written  proph«ciM  infifted  upon,  ii  Chrift  aid  his  rcdtmp- 
tion,  and  tne  glorious  timci  of  the  gofpcl,  which  fhould  be  in  the 
latter  days,  according  to  their  manner  of  exprellion.  Though 
many  other  ihij^g*  went  fpckcn  of  in  their  prophecies,  yet  it  feems 
to  be  onJy  as  inirodu£lory  to  their  pjophecy  of  th«fe  great  things. 
Whatever  they  pr^phefy  of,  here  their  prophecies  cca>-mon'y  ter- 
minate, as  you  may  fee  by  a  careful  perulal  of  their  writings. 

Thefe  prophets  vrcre  fct  to  writing  their  prophecies  by  the  Spirit 
of  Chrift  that  was  in  them,  chiefly  lor  that  end,  to  foreihow  and 
prepare  the  way  for  the  coming  of  Chrift,and  the  glory  that  fl;ould 
follow.  lo  what  an  exalted  ftrain  do  they  all  fpcak  of  thofe  things! 
Many  otaer  things  they  fpeak  of  in  men's  ufual  language.  But 
when  they  come  upon  this  fubjed,  what  a  joyful  heaven  fublimity 
is  there  in  the  language  thsy  ufc  about  it  !  Some  of  theai  are  very 
particular  and  full  in  tDeir  prediftions  of  thcfe  things,  sad  above 
all  I  he  Prophet  Ifaiah,  who  is  therefore  defer  vcdly  called  the  tvan- 
gtlicul prSpket,  He  feems  lo  teach  the  glorious  doftrines  of  the 
gofpdi  almofl  as  plainly  as  the  ApoAles  did,  who  preached  aficf 
Chriil  wa?  aftuaily  come.  The  Apoftle  Paul  therefore  takes  notisc, 
that  the  Prophet  Efaias  is  very  bold,  Rom.  x.  20.  i.e.  as  the  mean- 
ing of  the  Word,  ai  ufcd  in  the  New  T«ftameat,  is  very  plain,  h« 
fpeaks  out  very  plainly  and  fully  ;  fo  being  *'  very  bold"  is  ufcd 
2 Cor.  iii.  12.  we  ufe  **  great plainnefs  of  fpcech,"  9t  "boldnefsp" 
as  it  is  in  the  margin. 

How  plainly  and  fully  does  the  Prophet  Ifais^h  defcrile  the 
manner  and  circumAances,  the  nature  and  end,  of  the  fufterirgt 
tnd  facrifice  of  Chnf\,  in  the  5  5d  chapter  of  his  prophecy.  There 
11  fcarce  a  chapter  ia  the  New  Tcftament  itfelf  which  is  more  fgll 
on  it  !  and  how  much,  and  in  what  a  glorious  ikT^in,  docs  the 
fame  prophtt  fpeak  from  time  to  time  of  the  glorious  bcretiis,  of 
Chrift,  the  unrp«ak3ble  ble/Iings  which  ihall  redound  to  hii  church 
through  his  redemption  !  J^fus  Chrift,  the  perfon  that  this  propSee 
fpoke  fo  much  of,  once  appeared  to  ifaiah  in  Khe  form  of  the  hu- 
snan  nature,  the  nature  that  ht  Ihjuld  aflerwarda  take  upon  him. 
We  have  an  actount  of  h  in  the  6ih  chapter  of  his  prophecy  st  the 
beginning  :  **  i  faw  alfo  the  Lord  fitting  on  a  throrc,  high  and 
lifted  up,  and  his  train  filled  the  leoip-u/'  &c  Tbi^  was  Chiifk 
that  Ifaiah  now  faw,  as  wc  src  expruiily  toid  in  the  Ne^  Tefta*.^ 
ment.    See  John  rii.  J9.  40.  41.  ^^^ 

If  we  Gonfidcr  the  abundant  prophecies  of  th*<  and  the  ether  |fo» 
phets,  what  a  great  inc?cafc  Is  there  of 'the  Jigh*  of  the  gofpdS,  which' 
ba4  been  growing  f*cm  the  fall  of  man  to  this  day  ?  Hoe  plentiful 
fire  the  revelatiobs  and  prophecies  of  Chrift  now,  to  what  *hev  were 
i&  ihii  fiifi  p«rio<l  of  the  Old  Teftaxaen?,  from  Adsm  so  Naah  ?  or 

to 


100  A    HISTORY    cf 

to  'vhisX  tSey  vrcrciT  th«  fscnud,  from  Noah  to  Abraham  ?  n,-  ^o  ^y]'i^t 
they  were  before  Mofcs,  o?  hi  the  timci  of  M:f"e5,  j:(hua,  and  tbe 
J  t:igej  ?  This  difi'Snf  ti.on  that  •«%«  src  now  frtsktrgof,  was  slfo  z 
glorious  advance  cfthc  ircrk.  cf  rcicraption  by  Ehcgrcst  addition! 
that  were  mide  to  the  canon  of  fcripsure.  Great  pari  of  the  Old 
TcAament  was  ticken  now  from  thcd2y!i  of  Uzzi?.')  io  vhc  captivity 
into  BiLulon.  An:!  bo*  excellent  «rc  ihofe  portionaof  it  ?  What 
a  prtciom  treafirc  have  thcfc  prcpheti  rommitt.r'd  to  the  church  of 
God,  JcnJb^  g*-3dy  to  cocfirm  ths  gofpd  of  Cbrift  ?  and  wbiok 
fcasbicn  o*^  gjcat  comfo^t"^?:d  bcncHr  lo  God'*  chmch  ia  all  ages 
iiiieSj,  a'ld  doubtkfs  wiiibe  to  ihe  end  of  tt2  woili,  ^ 

PART        VI. 

Frcxn   ihc   Eabjlonifli  captivity   to  tlie  coming  of 

Ghria, 
COME  now  to  the  h/^  ptncd  of  the  Old  Ttitament,  viz.  that 


I 


which  begins  with /A(?  F«*3.'/;^»jY/j  captivify,  snd  extendi  to  thg 
ecwing  cfChrtJ,  being  the  gresiieft  part  ci  Ux  hundred  years,  to 
ikow  how  the  work  oi  redempUon  was  cfinied  on  thro*  this  period. 

But  bsfors  I  cnt?r  upon  pajticulsrs,  I  would  obfervc  in  tkrce 
things  W'heifein  this"  period  as  di*^inj;uifbed  from  the  preceding 
periods  of  the  times  of  the  Old  Tcftasn'cnt. 

I,  Though  v»e  have  no  acccuniof  a  great  part  of  this  period 
in  the  fcriprurc-h:(!:ory,  yet  the  events  of  this  pssiod  arc  mors  the 
fubje£l  of  fcriplure-prophecyj  than  any  of  the  preceding  periods". 
There  are  two  ways  wherein  the  fcnpture  gives  accj'jnl  of  the 
cvfcnts  by  which  the  work  of  rcdsmptJou  is  carried  on  ;  one  iaby 
hirtory,  and  another  is  by  prophecy  :  and  in  one  or  the  other  of 
tbcfe  wiys  wc  have  coHSaincd  in  the  fcripturcs  an  sccsunt  ho>  the 
work  of  redemption  is  carried  on  from  the  begianioj^  60  the  end. 
Although  the  fcripturc  do  not  contain  a  prcpbr  faif^ory  of  the 
whole,  yet  there  is  contasrjed  ihe  whole  chain  of  gscst  cveow  by 
whir.h  this  affair  hath  bc«n  cafried  on  from  the  foundation,  foon 
after  she  fall  rf  man  to  the  finiihing  cf  it  at  the  cad  v)f  ihc  worldt 
chhcr  lo  hffiory  or  prophecy. 

ll  is^obs  obfcrved,  that  were  the  fcripture  is  wanting  to  one  of 
theft  wayt .,  it  is  mad«  up  in  ihc  oiher.  Where  fcripture-hificry 
fails,  there  prophecy  takes  pkce  :  fo  that  the  account  is  ftiU  c^r- 
f zed  on,  atd  ti -e  csain  h  net  brokco,  til!  we  come  to  the  very  !«X 
link  of  it  in  the  confummaiion  of  ail  ihtnjf. 

Accordingly  it  is  obfcrvable  of  this  period  or  fpaceof  lime  that 
wc  ar«  ypcn,  that  though  it  is  fp  much  lei's  the  ^bjfdi  of  fcripturc - 
biftory,  thm  taoft  cf  the  preceding  pcriodj,  lb  mat  tb«re  is  above 
lour  bundisd  yut^  of  h  ilm  the  fsiipluuj  g\vei  ui  dq  hiftory  oC , 


the  Work  rf    R  E  D  E  M  P  1  I  O  :>^.  I«i 

yettbc  cvcnti  of  ih?«  pcrijJ  arc  more  ihe  fuljii'l  of  fciipturc- pro- 
phecy, ibai  the  tvcnts  of  all  the  preceding  pciiods  ptu  logciber. 
.  Moft  of  tLofe  rfTuurkabic  pro{,hcc:cs  of  ibc  bock  of  Dhuitl  dt»  re- 
fer to  events  that  were  accompU{l-d  in  thi»  pciJod  :  fo  raoft  of 
ibofe  piopaccies  of  Ifahh,  »nd  Jeremiah,  *nd  Ezzkkl,  agairil 
Babylon,  ain;!  Ty'vi'.,  &rJ  iigz\u\\  Egypt,  and  many  other  aation", 
were  fulfilled  hi  fhis  period. 

So  th^it  the  rc<*fon  why  the  fcr-'pture  gives  m  no  hif^ory  of  (o 
^reata  parf  of  this  period,  ianol  bccaufcihc  cvcnu  of  thJs  period 
were  not  f©  iaiporttnt,  or  lefs  worir-y  to  be  takea  notice  of,  than 
the  events  ef  the  foregoing  periods  ?  for  I  itsll  h||cahcr  Cnow  how 
great  snddifiisguthtdly  rsmarkabic  the  events  of  Iriii  pcridd  were* 
But  there  are  fcvsral  other  rcafons  which  way  b*  given  of  it.  One 
is,  that  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  tha  fpidt  of  prophecy  (hoyld 
ccafc  in  this  period,  (for  f^afoni  thai  cay  be  given  hereafter)  ;  fo 
that  there  were  no  prophets  to  write  the  hiftory  cf  thef^  firaes  ;  and 
therefore  God  dcKgntng  this,  took  care  that  the  great  evcuts  of  this 
period  (could  not  be  without  nicniicn  in  his  word  ;  and  fo  ordered 
it,  that  the  prophecies  of  fcripsure  fhcuid  be  more  full  hare,  than 
ill  tht  preceding  periods.  It  is  obfcrv&blc,  that  that  fet  of  wiilic^ 
prophets  that  God  raifed  up  in  Ifraci,  were  railed  up  that  the  latter 
end  of  the  foregoir^g  period,  aud  at  the  beginning  of  this ;  whicb 
it  is  Jikcly  was  partly  for  thai  reafon,  thait  ibc  lime  was  now  ap- 
proaching, of  which  the  fpirit  of  prophecy  having  ceafed,  there 
was  to  be  no  feripture-hitloryi,aiid  therefore  no  Other  fcriptuic - 
account  but  what  was  givin  iti  prOphecy. 

Another  rcafun  that  may  be  givsn  why  there  was  fo  great  a  part 
ef  this  period  left  whhout  an  hiftorical  account  in  fcripture,  is,  that 
God  in  this  provMcncc  took  csre,  that  ttierc  ftiould  be  authentic 
and  full  accounts  of  Jhe  cvems  of  ihii  period  prcfcrved  ia  profane 
b'dory.  It  ia  remaikabis,  and  Ye^ry  worthy  to  be  takjsn  ncucc  of» 
that  with  refpe(ft  to  the  events  of  «he  Hvc  preceding  periods,  of 
which  the  fcripturcs  givs  tljc  hiftcry,  profsnc  biflory  gives  us  bo 
account,  or  at  ieaft  of  but  very  few  of  thsia*  There  are  many  fa- 
bulous and  uncertain  accounts  of  things  that  happened  before  ;  buj 
the  beginning  of  the  tiaiesof  authentic  profane  hiftory  ii  judged  to 
be  but  a  little  before  Ncbuchadncza-^r's  time,  about  inhun^'jcdycsrj 
before.  The  learned  men  among  the  Greeks  end  ivooians,  ufed 
to  QiW  the  ages  before  that  the  fabulcus  cgt  ;  but  the  licacs  after 
that  they  called  ;A*  hiJ}orical  agt.  From  ^bout  that  time  to  the 
cotniog  of  Chrift,  we  have  undoubted  account*  in  profane  hJAory 
of  the  principal  events  ;  accounts  that  won^ierfully  agree  with  "the 
many  proph«?c)c»  th;.t  we  have  in  fcripturc  of  thofe  limes. 

Thus  did  the  great  God,  that  dlfpofei  all  d^rgi,  cr-'.cr  it.  He 
took  care  t9  give  aa  bidoiical  icccunc  of  itingifiwm  sU  bt^inni^ng 

oi 

0 


lee  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

of  tbs  worli,  though  all  tbofc  foricer  agea  which  prolans  hiHcry 
doc»  not  fC2ch,  anci  ceafcd  net  till  be  came  to  thofe  hicr  ages  in 
which  profane  hi  r;oryreIitcd  ihingg  with  fome  certainty:  and 
concerning  thcic  tiroes,  he  gives  U3  abundant  acsoimt  In  prophet:)', 
that  by  comparing  profane  hiitQryyrithtbore  prophecies,  we  might 
lee  the  agreement. 

2  This  ptriod  being  the  laft  period  of  she  Old  Ttf^smcnt,  and 
ihc  next  to  the  coming  of  Chsift,  fceais  to  have  been  rcaiaikabJy 
dinirguifhed  from  all  others  in  the  g:«at  revolutions  that  were  a- 
mong  the  nationi  ct  the  earth,  to  m«ke  way  for  the  kingdom  cf 
Chrift  The  tiiue  now  drawing  nigh,  wherein  Ghrift,  ti^e  g^'ca? 
King  2nd  SivimJf  of  the  ivorld,  was  to  cumc,  great  and  mighty  were 
the  charges  that  were  brought  to  pafs  in  order  to  it.  The  way  had 
been  preparing  for  the  coming  of  Chi iH:  from  the  fall  of  man, 
through  ail  the  foregoing  periods  r  but  now  the  time  drawing 
nigh,  things  beg^n  ro  ripen  apace  for  Chrift'i  toming  ;  and  there- 
fore divine  providence  wrought  wcnderfuliSy  now.  The  grcatcfi 
revolutions  that  any  hiHory  whatfosver  gives  an  account  of,  that 
ever  had  berw  from  the  flood,  fcii  out  in  ihii  period.  Almoft  ail 
the  then  luno'vn  world,  i.  e.  all  the  nations  ihai  were  round  about 
the  land  ofCa.isasHjfar  and  near,  ih^it  were  within  the  reach  of  their 
knowledge,  were  cverturced  again  and  again.  A:i  landii  were  in 
their  turns  fubdu^d,  captivaicd,  and  as  it  were  emptied,  and  turned 
upftde  down,  and  ths;  moft  of  them  repeatedly,  in  thii  ptriod  ; 
agreeable  to  that  prophecy,  if,  xxiv,  i.  **  Bchoid,  the  iLord 
makcjh  the  earth  empiy  ;  ke  makct^i  it  waflf ,  ajid  lurneib  it  up- 
Cide  down,  and  fcattcicth  abr  <ii  :>^r:  inhabitants  thereof. 

This  ccsprving,  and  lurning  upJ^dc  down,  began  with  God's  vi- 
fible  church,  in  their  captivity  by  the  king  of  Bi*bylon.  Then  the 
cup  frcci  them  went  round  to  all  other  naiions,  agreeable  to  what 
God  rcvea'.^d  to  the  Prcphet  Jerc-niah,  xrv.  1 5  .—-2  7  •  Here  fpe- 
cial  rcfpeift  fecm?  to  be  had  to  the  great  revolutions  ibal  there  were 
on  the  face  of  the  earth  ia  the  limss  of  the  Babyloniffc  cirpMe.  But 
after  that  there  werd  three  general  overiurnings  of  the  wo  Id  before 
ChriA  came,  in  the  fuccefHon  of  the  three  great  monarchies  of  tb« 
world  that  were  after  theBabylonifii  empire.  The  king  of  Babylon 
11  reprefcnted  in  fcripturt  as  overturning  of  the  world  :  but  a^ter 
that,  theBaby Ion  ilhcnjpirc  was  overthrown  byCyrus ;  who  founded 
the  Pcrfian  empire  in  the  room  of  it ;  which  was  of  much  greater  ex- 
tent than  theBabylonilh  empire  inits'greateil  glory.  Thus  the  worSd 
W5i9  overturned  the  fccond  time.  After  that,  the  Pc^fian  empire 
was  overthrown  by  Alezrander,  and  the  Grecian  empire  w-is  f«i  up 
upon  the  ruina  of  it ;  which  was  ftill  of  much  greater  txtcni  than 
the  Pcrfian  ccopire  :  and  thus  there  was  a  general  overturning  cf 

the  world  2  ihicd  ii»e,    Afur  that,  the  Gtccisa empire  was  oi  i.- 

chroiva 


,    the  Work  of    R  £  I)  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  I0| 

thrown  by  »hc  Ro-nan*,  ^ind  the  Ri>*)^n  emp?re  was  cft^hlifV-cd  ; 
which  vaO'y  exceeded  all  ihc  foregoing  empires  ie  power  and  cxicnl 
of  dominion.     And  fo  ihe  world  wai  ovci turned  the  fourth  time. 

Thcfc  fevcral  caonarchits,  and  the  great  revolutions  of  the  world 
under  them,  ere  abundantly  fpcLcn  of  in  the  prophecies  of  Daniel* 
Tkcy  arc  reprcfcnted  in  Nebuchadnezxer's  image  of  gold,  ^Iver, 
brafi,  and  iron,  and  Daniel's  inttrpretation  of  it  in  the  fecond 
th-iptcr  of  Daniel  ;  and  then  iQ  Daniel's  vi^on  of  the  four  beaftf, 
•nd  the  angel's  interpretation  of  it  in  the  fevcnth  chapter  of  Daniel, 
And  the  fucccffion  of  the  Perfiaa  snd  Grecian  monarchies  is  more 
particularly  reprefcfitcd  in  the  eighth  chapter  in  L^mcI's  vifion  of 
th«  ram  and  the  he-goaf,  and  again  in  thcviith  chl^r  of  Daniel* 

Bcfiies  ihcfc  four  geneial  oveiturnings  of  th«  world,  the  world 
was  kept  in  a  conftant  tumult  between  whiles  :  and  indeed  the 
World  wa»  »5  it  were  in  a  continual  convulfion  through  the  whole 
period  »iU  Chrit^  caune  Before  this  period,  the  fsicc  of  the  earth 
was  comparstlve^y  in  quietnefs  :  though  they  were  many  great 
wart  among  t^c  nations,  yet  we  read  of  no  fuch  mighty  and  uni- 
rerfal  convulfions  and  oversuruirigs  as  there  were  in  this  period* 
The  nations  of  the  world,  moft  of  them,  had  loag  remained  om 
their  lees  «  it  werr,  without  being  emptcd  from  vciTcIto  vcflcl,  at 
if  faid  of  Mjib,  J^^r.  xlviii,  ii.  Now  thef«  great  ovciturningt 
were  b€c;.ufe  the  time  of  ihe  great  MefRah  drew  nigh  That  they 
were  to  prepare  t*  c  way  for  Chrift's  coming,  is  evident  by  fcripture 
p:rticu)%rly  by  Vz  k.  xxi.  ^^.  •*  I  will  overturn,  ovciturn,  otjcftura 
it,  and  it  (hall  he  no  more,  until  he  come  whofe  right  it  is,  and  I 
will  give  it  him."  Th§  prophet,  by  repeating  the  word  cuerturm 
three  times,  hau  rcfpcfl  to  the  three  overturnings,  as  in  the  Reve- 
lation, viii  13  T ae  repeiinon  of  the  word  wo  three  times,  fignifiet 
three  diftin<^  wors  ;  a«  sj.oears  by  what  follows,  ix.  12.  **  One 
wo  is  paft  ;"  ar-ixi.  14,  '*  Th«  fecond  wo  is  paft,  and  behold 
the  third   vo  cometh  quxidy/' 

It  mu^  be  noted,  that  the  P-oohet  Ezekicl  prophefied  in  the  time 
of  the  B;bylorilh  captivity  ;  kad  therefore  there  were  three  great 
md  general  ove 'turnings  of  the  world  to  come  after  this  prophecy, 
before  Chrift  cims  ;  the  tir*"^  by  th*-  Pcffixns,  the  fecond  by  the 
Grecians,  the  third  by  the  Romans  ;  and  then  af«er  that  Chri{V, 
whofo  right  it  was  \o  tike  the  dJidem.and  reign,  (hould come.  Here 
Ihcfe  g?en  ovcriurn;nj2;$  *f-  evidently  fpoken  of  as  preparatory  to 
tbe  comiag  snd  kingdom  of  Chrift.  But  to  underftand  the  wordi 
aright,  we  mutt  note  t'le  particular  cxprcflion,  **  1  will  overturn, 
cverturn,  overturn  iV,"  i.  e.  the  disdcm  and  crown  of  Ifrael,  or 
the  fjDTtOTc  temporal  -dominion  ovsr  God's  vifible  people.  Tbif 
G.d  faid  (hnald  be  ri^.  more,  i   c.  the  crown  fliould  be  taken  off, 

eud  the  diadem  renoved,  at  it  is  f«i4  ia  tiic  foregoing  vcrfe.  The 

fupi 


104  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

%remc  poorer  over  Ifrscl  (hould  be  eso  raort  in  il-  royal  iinc  of 

David,  to  which  it  preperly  beSongcd,  but  flhculd  br  rcaaovcd  away, 

and  given  to  others,  and  cvcriurncd  from  o^ae  to  another  :  Firit 

the  fi'prcmc  power  over  Ifrasl  ihovld  be  in  the  bands  ol  ihePcrfians ; 

and  then  it  ihould  be  overturned  again  5  and  then  it  fhotsld  be  in  the 

hands  of  the  Grecians;  and  then  it  (hoxild  be  overturned  sgsia,  and 

cJtec  into  tb^  hands  of  the  Romans,  and  (fcculd  be  no  nior«  in  the 

Jinc  of  David, sill  that  very  pcrfon  fcould  coc5C,that  vrzi  the  fon  of 

David, whofe  proper  right  it  wa8,ind  ihcnGijd  iTculd  give  it  to  him. 

ThaJ  thofe  great  takings  and  revolutions  of  the  nations  of  the 

world,  were  a^o  prepare  the  way  for  Chrsft's  coshlng,  and  felting 

up  his  kingdVPin  the  world,  is  further  manlftft  by  Haggai,    ii. 

6.  7.     «*  Fcr  thus  faith  the  Lord  of  hofli,   Yst  orcc,  it  is  a  little 

while,  and   I  vvjll  ffcake  the  heavens,  and  the  ear^h,  and  the  fea, 

Snd  the  dry  hnd  ;  and  I  w  ill  {h?kc  all  nations,  and  the  defire  of 

listions  ihail  cordis?,  and  I  ^i\\  fxli  thi«  ho!i/"e  with  glory,   fs?th  the 

Lord  cf  hefts."     And  again,  vcFfe  21.  22.  and  23.    Ir  is  evident 

ny  thi«,  tha»  shcfe  great  revolutions  and  1^-^ kings  of  the  natfont, 

whereby  the  thrones  of  k:i;gdcnis  and  ar ncic?  were  ovcrrhrovvn,  and 

every  one  came  down  by  the  fwosd  of  hh  brother,  were  to  prepare 

nfec  viray  for  the  coming  of  him  who  ,19  the  dcfire  of  all  nations* 

The  great  changes  and  troubles  that  hsve  fometimes  been  in  the 
vifiblc  church  of  Chrif>,  £re  in  Rev.  jcii,  2.  compared  Jo  the  church's 
being  in  travail  to  bring  forth  Chrift  :  So  thefe  great  troubles  and 
mighty  revolutions  that  wtre  in  the  vsrorld  before  ,Chrift  vr3S  born^ 
V!^erc,  ^s  it  were,  the  world's  being  in  travail  to  brirg  forth  the 
Son  olGod,  The  Apof^Ie,  in  the  8ih  of  ^omsn?,  tcprtfcnt^  th« 
whrile  crep.lion  as  groaning  and  tri5V5i1ing  in  paZii  together  until 
n«w,  to  brin^  forth  the  Uberty  and  jDanifel^.tion  of  the  children 
cfGod,  So  the  world  as  it  were  travailed  in  ps/.i,  and  was  in 
continual  ronvulfions,  for  fevera!  hundrfr-!  years  together,  to  brisg 
forth  the  firfl  born  child,,  zni  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God,  And 
thofe  rotghtv  revolutions  were  as  fo  niany  p^n^f  and  throes  in  or- 
der to  if.  The  world  being  fo  Song  a  time  kept  in  a  f^ate  of  war 
snd  bloodflned,  prepared  the  Way  for  the  coming  of  the  Prince  of 
peace,  as  It  Ihowed  3  gre^t  need  the  world  ftood  in  of  fuch  a  princ« 
io  dalivier  the  world  from  its   miferits. 

It  p!e?.fe'J  God  to  order  it  in  his  providenfce,  that  earthly  power 
and  dominion  (liould  be  mifcd  to  its  greateft  height,  and  appear  in 
its  ijtmoft  glory,  in  thofe  four  great  monarchies  that  fucoeedcd  one 
another,  and  that  every  one  ftould  be  greater  and  roort  glorious 
than  the  preceding,  before  he  fet  up  the  kingdom  of  his  Son*  B/ 
this  it  appear  how  much  more  glorious  his  fpiritual  kingdom  wai 
than  the  moft  glorious  temporal  kingdom.  The  ftrength  and  glo' 
rf  qI  Satan's  kingdom  In  rhcfe  fcur  mighty  monarchies,  appeared 

hi 


ths  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N,  los 

in  iH  grtatefl  height  :  for  thcfc  monarchies  were  the  monarchlti 
of  the  dirnhea  world,  and  f^  ibe  firength  of  them  '^ss  the  ftrcnglh 
of  Saian'j  kingdooa.  Gjd  fufferffd  Satan's  kingdom  to  rife  to  fo 
great  a  height  oi  power  and  rr>*gniticcn.ce  bciore  his  Son  came  to 
orrerlhrow  it,  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  tnorc  glorioui  triumph  ot' 
his  S©n.  Gwli.tth  otuft  have  on  all  hii  fplcnclid  armour  when  tliC 
ilripling  Ddvld  comes  againft  hita  with  a  fiing  and  a  ftone,  for  the 
grcatsr  glory  of  Davids  vidory.  God  futfcrcd  one  of  tbofc  great 
fnooarchtcs  to  lubdue  another^  and  crcd  itfclf  on  the  othcr't  ruins, 
appearing  ftili  in  greater  ftrength,  *nd  ihc  laft  to  be  the  /^rongcft 
and  mighti«ft  of  all;  that  foChriA,  in  ovcrthrowin^fcat,  might  as 
it  »vere  overthrow  them  all  at  onc«  ;  as  the  ftone  cut  out  of  the 
mountain  without  hands,  is  rcprcfcntcd  as  dcf^roying  the  whole 
image,  the  gold,  the  filvcr,  the  braf§,  the  ij'on,  and  the  clay  ;  fo 
that  al)  became  as  the  chalf  of  the  fummcr   threfhing-floor.  • 

Thcfc  might}/  empires  were  fuffcred  thus  ro  overthrow  the  world 
and  might  dei^roy  one  another  :  and  though  their  power  was  fo 
great,  yet  they  could  not  uphold  themfelves,  but  fcJi  one  after 
another,  and  came  to  nothing,  even  the  laft  of  them,  that  was  the 
ftronffcft,  and  had  f wallowed  up  the  earth.  It  pleafcd  God  thus  to 
(how  in  them  the  inftability  and  vanity  of  all  earthly  power  and 
greatnefs  ;  which  fcrvcd  as  a  foil  to  fct  forth  the  glory  of  the 
kingdom  of  his  Son,  which  never  fhallbe  deriroyed,  as  appears  bv 
Din.  it.  44.  "In  the  days  of  thefc  kings  DialltheGod  of  heaven  fct 
up  a  kingdom,  which  fliall  never  be  deAroyed  ;  and  the  kingdom 
(hall  not  be  left  to  another  people,  but  it  (hall  break  in  pieces,  and 
confume  all  thcfe  kingdoms, and  it  fliaUflgnd  forever."  So  great- 
ly docs  this  kingdom  differ  from  all  thofc  kingdoms  :  they  vanifli 
away,  and  are  Ic^t  to  other  people  ;  but  this  ftiall  not  be  left  to 
other  people,  but  fliall  ftand  for  ever.  God  fu^cred  the  dcvi!  to  do 
his  utmoft,  and  to  eftablifh  his  intere/l,  by  felting  up  the  greatei^, 
ftrongea,  and  moft  glorious  kingdoms  in  the  world  that  he  could 
before  the  defpifcd  Jcfus  overtkrtw  him  and  his  empire,  Chrift 
came  into  the  world  to  bring  down  the  high  things  of  Satan's  king- 
dom, that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  might  be  on  every  one  that  fs 
proud  and  lofty,  and  every  high  tower,  and  every  lofty  mountain  • 
as  the  Prophet  If^iah  fays,  chap.  ii.  iz.fec.  Therefore  thcfc  things 
were  fuffcrcd  to  rife  very  high,  that  Chrift  might  appear  fo  much 
the  more  glorious  in  being  above  them. 

Thus  wonderfully  did  the  great  and  wife  governor  of  the  world 
prepare  the  way  for  the  ere£^ing  of  the  glorious  kingdom  of  his  be* 
k>vcd  fon   Jefus. 

3.  Another  thing  for  which  this  lafl  period  or  fpace  of  time  be- 
fore Chrift  was  particularly  remarkable,  was  the  woodcrrul  pre- 
^va{i«B  of  the  church  through  alt  thofc  OTcrturoingi.    The  p' ^^ 

N  ferratiga  "' 


id(5  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

fevaiion  of  the  church  wss  on  feme  accounii  more  recaarkabk 
through  this  period, tbsn  through  any  of  the  foregoing,  It  wi%  very 
wonderful  that  the  church,  which  in  this  period  was  fo  weak  and  in 
fo  loir  a  ftate,  and  moftly  fubjcdl  to  the  dominion  of  Hcithcn  mo- 
narchies, ihoxild  be  pteferved  for  five  or  fix  hundred  years  together, 
while  the  world  was  fo  often  overturned,  and  the  earth  was  rent 
in  pieces,  and  fnade  fo  often  empty  and  waAc,  and  the  inhabitant* 
of  it  Came  down  foofien  every  one  by  the  fword  of  hii  brother* 
I  fay  it  was  wonderful  that  the  church  in  hi  weak  and  low  Aate, 
being  but  a  little  handful  of  men,  (faould  be  preferved  in  all  theft 
great  conVulfy||| ;  efpecially  considering  that  the  land  of  Judea,the 
chief  place  of  roc  church's  refidcnce,  lay  in  the  midft  of  them,  as  it 
were  in  the  middle  between  the  contending  parties,  and  was  very 
much  the  feat  of  war  amongft  ihcm,  and  was  often  OTer-run  and 
fubdued^  and  fometimes  in  the  hands  of  one  people,  and  fometiane^ 
another,  and  7Cjy  much  the  objed  of  the  envy  and  hatred  of  all 
Heathen  nations,  and  often  almoi^  ruined  by  them,  often  great 
multitudes  of  its  inhabitants  being  flain,  and  the  land  in  a  great 
meafure  dcpopulafedj  and  thofc  who  bad  them  in  their  power.oftcn 
intended  the  utter  deftru6Hon  of  the  whole  nation.  Yet  they  were 
upbcld;  they  were  prefcrved  in  their  captivity  in  Babylon,  and 
they  were  upheld  again  under  all  the  dangers  they  paffcd  through, 
under  the  kings  of  Pcrfia,  and  the  much  greater  dangers  they  wei* 
liable  to  under  the  empire  of  the  G:cck%,  asd  afterwards  when  the 
world  was  trodden  down  by  the  Romans, 

Their  prefervation  through  this  period  was  alfo  dininguifliingly 
remarkable,  in  that  we  never  read  of  the  church's  fuffcring  pcr- 
fecution  in  any  former  period  in  any  meafure  to  fuch  a  degree  as 
they  did  in  this,  under  Antiochus  Epiphanes,  of  which  more  after- 
wards. This  wonderful  prefervaiioii  of  the  church  through  all 
thcfe  overiurnings  of  the  world,  gives  light  and  confirmation  to 
what  we  read  in  the  beginning  of  the  46th  Pfalm  :  "  God  is  our 
refuge  asd  Arength,  a  very  prefect  help  in  trouble.  Therefore 
will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be  removed,  and  though  the 
mountains  be  carried  into  the  midA  of  the  fea  ;  though  the  waters 
thereof  roar,  and  be  troubled  ;  though  the  mountains  (bake  with 
the  f welling  thereof." 

Thus  I  have  taken  sotlce  of  feme  general  things  whtre?B  this 
laA  period  of  the  Old-TeAament  times  was  diAiuguiihcd,  I  corns 
BOW  to  conftdcr  how  the  work  of  redemption  was  carried  on  in  par- 
ticulars. 

I,     The  firft  thing  that  here  offers  is  the  captivity  of  the  Jews  in-< 

to  Babylon.     This  was  a  great  difpenfation  of   providence,  and 

fuch  as  never  was  before.     The  children  of  Ifrael  in  the  timt  of 

the  judges,  bad  oftt n  bcco  brought  uadcr  their  enemies  ;  and  mamy 

,  particula* 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  w? 

par  titular  perfons  were  carried  captive  at  ether  times.  But  nc?  er 
had  there  been  any  fuch  thing  as  deAroying  the  whole  land,  the 
fan£lu«ry,  and  the  city  of  Jcrufalem,  and  aU  the  citici  and  villagct 
of  the  land,  End  carrying  the  vr hole  body  of  the  people  out  of  their 
oivn  land  into  a  country  many  hundred  milci'  diitant,  and  leaving 
th«  land  of  Canaan  empty  of  God'i  vifible  people.  The  ark  had 
ouce  forfakcn  the  tabernacle  of  Shiloh,  and  was  carried  captiv* 
into  the  land  of  the  PhiliAincs  :  but  never  had  there  been  any  fuch 
thing  ai  the  burning  the  fandluary,  and  utterly  dcflroyirtg  the  ark, 
&nd  carrying  away  all  the  facred  veffels  and  uteniilsi  and  breaking 
up  all  their  flated  worship  in  the  land,  and  the  land's  lying  wafle 
and  empty  for  fo  many  years  together.  How  Ii4lly  are  tbofe 
ibiog*  fei  forth  in  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah  ! 

The  work  of  redemption  was  promctsd  by  this  remarkable  dlf- 
pcafation  in  thcfe  following  ways. 

I.  It  finally  cured  that  nation  ^J  their  itch  after  idolatry.  The 
Piophct  Ifiiah.fpeaking  of  the  fitting  up  of  the  kingriom  of  Chrlft, 
chap.  ii.  iS.  fpeaks  of  tl<e  abolilliiug  idolatry  as  one  thing  that 
Ifcould  be  done  to  this  end :  "And  the  idols  he  fliall  utterly  abolilh," 
When  the  tim«  Wds  drawing  near,  ihatGod  would  abolilb  Heatlica 
idolatry,  throu£b  the  greater  part  of  the  known  world,  as  he  did  by 
the  preifiiifftg  of  the  gofpe?  after  Chrift  came,  it  plesfed  him  firft  to 
aUiiifK  Heathenifm  among  hit  own  people  ;  and  he  did  it  bow  by 
their  c?.pli*^ity  into  Babylon  ;  a  prcfagc  of  that  abolilbing  of  idolij 
thit  God  was  about  to  bring  to  pafs  by  Chrift  through  io  great  * 
part  of  the  Heathen  world. 

This  nation  that  was  addi<fled  to  idolatry  before  for  fo  many 
ages,  and  that  nothing  would  cure  them  of,  not  all  the  reproofs, 
and  warnings,  and  corre<f^ions,  that  they  had,  an:^.  ail  the  judge - 
meats  God  infli<^cd  en  them  for  it ;  yet  aow  were  finiilly  cured  : 
f«  that  however  fome  might  fall  into  this  fin  aftcrxvards,  as  they 
did  about  the  timcof  Antiochus'a  pcrfccution,  yet  the  nation,  as  s 
nation,  never  fliewcd  any  h^rtkerjng  after  this  fm  any  vnozt.  This 
was  a  remarksible  and  wonderful  change  in  that  people,  and  wh^^S 
directly  promoted  the  work  of  rcdempiion,  £3  it  was  a  great  ad- 
vancement of  the  intereft  of  religion, 

2.  It  was  one  thing  that  prepared  the  way  for  Chfift's  coming, 
and  fctting  up  the  glorious  difpcnfition  of  the  gofp^?,  <%s  h  took 
iwiy  many  of  thpfe  things  wherein  corfiif  d  the  gloiy  of  the 
JcwiQj  difpenfatioa.  In  order  to  introduce  the  plorl'cus  dlfpen- 
fation  of  the  gofpel,  the  external  glory  of  the  J2H  ilh  church  muft 
be  diattnifhed,  as  we  obfervcd  befo?e.  This  the  Kcbylouilh  cap- 
tivity did  many  ways  ;  it  brought  the  people  very  \  )W. 

Fi:ft,  it  removed  the  temporal  diadem  of  the  houfe  of  D^vld  a- 
Wa^'  fjoai  tbcjD,  i.  c,  ihc  fuprcaac  aud  iudtp crid:ai  ^ovircircnt  cf 

tiiciiifclvc* 


loS  A    H  I  8  T  O  R  Y    of 

thcmfclvcs.  It  took  r,wqy  the  crown  and  diadem  ffom  the  nation. 
The  time  now  approaching  when  Chri^^,  the  great  and  CTtrlafling 
king  of  bts  church,  ^hh  to  re'^gn,  h  was  ti'ne  for  the  typical  kingi 
towiihdrawr.  A>  God  faid  by  fekitl,  ch,  xxi.  26.  "  Ha  re- 
moved the  crown  and  dia'i<Jia,  that  it  might  be  no  more,  till  he 
fhou!d  corns  vYhofc  right  it  was,"  The  Jctj  hcnccfcrvrard  vreic 
7>\ways  dependent  oq  the  go.vc:rv)i;ig  power  of  oihcr  n<ition»,  until 
ChriA  CJ^nr,  for  near  fix  hundred  ycara,  excepting  about  90  years, 
flaring  whirh  fp,H".e  they  mainti;r)';d  ;j  fort  of  independence,  by  con- 
liau-?!  vyars  under  the  dominion  of  ihcMaccabLcs  ani  their  poftcriiy. 

A;.^atn,  by  the  captivify,  ihc  glory  and  magnificence  of  the  ttci- 
plc  wss  taLWawav,  an4  the  temple  that  was  buik  afterwards,  was 
jjothing  iacompirifcn  with  it.  Thus  it  was  uiest,  that  when  ti^c 
lims  drew  uigh  ihat  the  glortcus  ?.ntcr.ypc  of  the  temple  t^iould  ap- 
pear, that  the  typical  tcinpk  foauld  hive  its  g'ory  withdrawn. 

Again,  another  thing  ibat  they  loft  by  the  captivity,  was  the 
•VTO  tables  of  ths  t:iUo^ai3y  dcliv^fcd  to  IVIofcs,  wriitcn  with  the 
f.ngcrof  God  ;  tin  two  tables  on  whif.h  God  with  his  own  tingcr 
A'icte  the  ?2n  commandmen»fi  on  Mount  Sirai.  Thefc  fccm  10  have 
'i.zcn  prcfervfd  in  the  ark  tiil  the  c-iptivity.  Thcfc  were  in  the  ark 
Hhcn  Solomon  placed  tht  srk  in  the  temple,  i  Kings  viii.  9. 
''.'here  was  nothing  in  the  ark,  favc  the  two  tsibles  of  ^ione,  which 
iMofcs  put  there  at  Horeb.  And  we  have  no  xsafoa  to  fcppofc 
any  other,  but  that  they  remained  there  3>  long  as  thai  <tcar.plc  iloccj, 
^us  the  Jews  fpeak  of  {hefe  as  finally  lor:  at  that  tinre ;  though  the 
isme  commandments  vyere  preserved  in  the  book  of  the  law.  Thtfe 
fiblcs  alfo  were  withdrawn  on  the  approach  of  their  antetype. 

Agam,  another  thing  that  was  !o)t  that  the  Jcwa  had  bc/Dre,  was 
the  Urim  and  Thumciira.  This  is  evident  byEzra,  ii.  63.  "And  the 
TirlliHths  hid  unto  tbcm,  that  they  ftiould  not  eat  of  the  tro/I  holy 
ihtngSi,  till  (here  (liould  -Oaad  up  a  prteii  withUriixi  and  Thunimim.*' 
wc  have  no  account  that  this  was  ever  rcflorcd  ;  but  the  ancieut 
writingi  of  the  Jews  fay  ihe  contrary.  What  ihif  Urim  and  Thim- 
xnim  was,  1  (ball  not  now  enquire  ;  but  only  obfervc,  thst  it  w.'^.g 
fomething  by  which  the  high  pricfl  enquired  of  God,  find  receivei 
icacnodiatc  aafwcrs  from  him,  or  by  which  God  gave  forth  imirs- 
diate  or'cles  on  particular  occsfioos.  This  w&t  now  withdrawn, 
t.hc  tidic  sppfoaching  when  Chrifr,  the  antetype  of  she  Urioa  ^zA 
Thummjcn,  the  great  word  and  oracle  of  Gcd,  was  to  roasc. 

Aaoiber  thing  that  the  ancicr.t  J-:w5  fay  v/as  wanting  in  tht 
fcc:ond  temple,  was  the  Shcchinah,  or  cloud  cf  glory  ever  the  mer^ 
cy  fcst.  This  was  prooiifcd  to  la  In  the  Ubrrnaclc  ;  Lcvi||.:^v:.  zj 
**  Fox  I  will  sppesr  in  the  tabcrnacJe  upon  the  roercy- /♦»:."  V«;e 
read  elfe-.vhcrc  of  the  cloud  cf  alery  dcfc:ndicg  into  tb<  tabernacle, 
lixbi.  si.  35  J  and  fo  r  t  do  Ukr^-ii's  witb  :cfpca  to  Solomon's 


»he  Work  of    REDEMPTION. 


}09 


temple.  But  we  have  no  account  that  this  cloud  of  ^lory  wa»  in 
the  fecoad  tcmpit.  And  tht  anelcni  accounts  of  i\.c  Jew*  f^y,  ihat 
there  wa»  DO  fuch  thing  in  the  fccond  ttaiplc.  Thii  was  n'rcdlcr* 
In  the  fccoad  temple,  confidcring  ihat  Goa  had  prc.mifed  that  [9 
t^ould  fill  ihii  temple  with  gljry  ^nether  way,  viz.  by  C!-,rifi's 
comicg  into  it ;  which  ivas  after "t'Cirds  fulfilied.  Sec  H.-jgg,!!,  11.7, 
'*  I  will  (hake  all  nations,  and  the  dcfire  of  ail  naliojis  ihall  come, 
and  1  win  fill  this  houfc  v.ish  glory,  faith  the  Lord  cf  hofis." 

Another  thing,  thai  the  jcw»  in  their  sncicnt  writings  mcntioa 
as  being  now  withdrawn,  was  the  lire  frcrii  heaven  on 4hc  alt.-?r. 
When  Mofcs  built  the  tabernacle  and  ahar  in  the  wiiderncfa,  and 
the  fifft  facrificcs  were  offertd  on  it,  fire  came  down  from  heaven, 
and  ccnfuiucd  the  burnt- ofTcrirg,  as  in  Levii.  ix.  24  ;  and  fj 
again,  whenSolomon  buih  tteetcmple,  andcfftfrcdthchist  faciiticcs, 
as  you  may  f-e  in  2  Chron.  vii.  1.  And  this  fire  was  never  to  go 
out,  but  with  t^iegreatcA  care  to  be  kept  alive,  a»God  commanded 
Lcvit.  vi,  13.  '*  The  fire  (hall  ever  be  burning  upon  the  altar  ; 
It  fball  nev«r  go  oiil."  And  ihcie  h  no  reafoR  to  fuppofe  rhe  tiic 
Ja  Solomon's  rime  ever  went  out  till  the  temple  was  defiroycd  by 
the  Babyloai-ins,  But  then  k  was  exiin^iUicd,  ar.d  ncvir  was 
rcf^cred.  We  have  no  account  of  in  being  given  on  tb.e  Duilcing 
of  the  fccond  tcruple,  as  we  have  ^t  S;hc  builair.g  of  the  cdbcmaciq 
and  firfl  temple.  But  she  J?ws,  after  their  return,  were  forced  to 
make  uf«  of  thfir  Common  titc  inA^ad  of  it,  according  to  the  an- 
cient tradition  of  the  Jews.  Thus  the  lights  cf  the  Old  Tefiamfnt 
go  put  on  the  approach  of  the  glorious  Sua  of  righteoufnefs. 

2-  Tht  captivity  into  Babyloa  wa§  the  occalicn  of  another  thing 
"vyhich  did  aftcrwaxdi  much  promote  tba  fetting  up  of  Chrifi'sking* 
dom  in  the  world,  aad  th^<  was  the  difpcr(?cn  of  the  Jcvrs  thrcu.  h 
the  greater  part  of  the  known  world,  before  the  coming  of  CLnit, 
For  the  whole  nali(?n  being  carried  away  far  out  cf  Chcir  CMrn  land, 
and  continuing  ia  a  fiaie  ©f  cspdvity  for  fo  long  a  time,  they  got 
them  polTc»!ions,  and  built  ihem  houfes,  and  fitiicd  thcmfcives  n\ 
the  land  of  their  captivity,  sgrccaLk  to  the  dirtdlon  thst  Jcremi^^ 
gave  them,  ir^  the  letter  he  wrote  to  Ihtir*  in  the  29:h  chapter  of 
Jeremiah.    Thcrcfcrc,  when  Cyrus  gave  them  lihtcty  to  return  t.:i 
^hc  land  where  they  had  forEr.cily  dwelt,  m<ny  cf  thcas  otver  le* 
turned  ;  they  were  not   wtliiog  to  leave  their  fcttlcmcnts  at\d  pof- 
Xe(fions  there,  to  go  into  a  dcfolate  ccaritiy,  maay  hundred  milti 
^il^anl,  which  none  but  ihe  old  men  amor^:  *h».m  had  ever  fccq  j 
and  therefore  they  were  but  few,  bui  a  fmall  number,  that  return- 
td^  as  we  fte   in  the  accounts  wc  Lave  in  the  bookik  of  lizra  and 
Kchcmiah.     Great  numbers  tarried  behind,  though  ihty  rii?i  re- 
tained the  fame  religicD  with  thofc  that  returned,  fo  far  as  it  covif^I 
|€  pra^Kc<J  i^  a  fcrc3gnj«.td,  Thofc  tttTcngcu  itat  liic  read  cf  ia 


ito  A    Hi  STORY    of 

the  7th  chapter  of  Zechi»riihjtb'i*C2nL;e  10  cnqurs  of  the  pric/l:3  ard 
prophet!  in  JeiufalcLT,  Sh-::czcr  and  Regcu^'Ct.c^cch,  are  fuppofcd 
to  be  meiTcngcri  km  from  the  Jews  that  rctHabed  fiill  in  Babylon, 

Thofc  Jewi  tiias  icouiacd  ftiH  io  thai  country  were  fgon,  by 
the  great  changcj  that  happened  la  the  world,  dJfpsrfcd  thence  in- 
to all  the  adjacent  countrits.  Hence  we  riad,  iha?  in  Hrthcr'i  time, 
which  was  after  i!'.^  return  from  the  captivity,  the  Jtnvs  were  1 
people  that  were  dlfpcrfcd  throi'.gfcout  all  paxis  of  the  vaft  Peifian 
empire,  th;ii  extended  froc  laJia  to  Ethiopia  ;  as  you  may  fee, 
Efth.  iii.  8.  '*  And  Hasian  faid  unto  Khg  Ahafueruj,  There  is  a 
certain  people  fcattcred  sbroad,  and  difperlcd  amoiig  the  people 
in  all  the  provinces  ot  thy  klngdocn,"  &c.  And  fo  they  continued 
difperfed  tillCfcrlft  came,  and  til*  the  apoi^lcj  went  forth  to  preach 
the  pofpel.  But  yet  iheie  difperfed  Jews  retained  their  religion  ia 
tfaisdifperfioa,  Tncir  captivity,  as  I  faid  before,  thoroughly  cured 
them  of  their  idolatty  ;  and  it  was  their  manner,  for  as  many  of 
them  as  couU  fjrom  time  to  time,  to  go  up  lo  the  land  of  Judea  to 
Jsrufalem  at  their  grsut  fcafts.  Hence  we  retd  in  the  2d  chapter 
of  Atls,  that  at  the  licrie  of  the  fjjes^i  {e&i\  of  Pcntecofi,  there  were 
Jew*  abiding  at  Jcrufalciu  out  of  every  nation  under  heaven.  Thef« 
were  Jews  come  up  from  all  countries  where  they  weie  difperfed, 
to  waclhip  ae  th^l  tcalfe.  Hence  we  find,  in  the  hiflory  of  the  Adli 
of  the  Apcfilea,  thai  wherever  the  Apofibs  went  preaching  through 
the  woil.i,  ihey  fotad  Je'AS.  They  came  to  fuch  a  city,  and  to 
fucb  s  city,  and  *'?ee«  into  the  fynagogue  of  the  Jaws, 

Anticznu^.  the  Gfcar,  about  tvj'o  hundred  years  before  Chrift,  oa 
a  cert>:ia  occafion,  tranfpkntcd  two  ihoufand  familice  of  Jews  fisjtn 
ti>i,.couv.:;ry  about  S^byion  into  Afia  tTic  Lefs  ;  and  fo  they  «nQ  their 
pwficrity,  many  of  them,  feuled  ia  Pontui,  GJ^itia,  Phrygia, 
V'impiiyih,  knd  in  Ephefus ;  *nd  from  thsncc  fettled  in  Athtcs, 
Corinth,  and  Hox'e.  Whence  came  tfcof«  fynigogaes  ia  thofc 
places   that  the  Apo'tie  Paul  ri<;-ched  i/i. 

Now,  this  (lltpii:C.^.u  of  tuc  Jews  through  the  world  beforcGhrjft 
came,  did  t:;:\any  wayi  prepare  the  way  for  his  coming,  aad  fetsing 
up  hii  kingioiXi  in  the  world. 

One  was,  that  thi»  was  a  mfc«Bi  of  r^ifing  a  general  expeftatipft 
of  ihc  MefHah  through  the  world  about  the  time  that  he  adluajly 
came.  For  the  Jaws,  vyhcrc-evcr  they  were  di/pcifed,  canied  the 
holy  fcriprurcs  Y/t±  them,  and  fo  the  prophecies  of  the  MclTiab  ; 
and  being  convcrfanl  with  the  nations  among  whom  they  lived, 
they,  by  that  mean«,  became  acquiintcd  wiih  thcfe  prophecies,  and 
with  the  cxpedatioas  of  the  Jews  of  theii  glorious  MefTirh  ;  and 
by  this  means,  the  birth  of  fuch  a  glorious  pcrf»?a  in  Judea  about 
that  time  beg:ia  to  be  the  general  etp.edadon  of  the  nations  of  th« 
wor-Jdj  as  sppe^fs  by  the  wfilinss  ot  lh€  Icf?»2^  »ca  cf  th?  Hc&tben, 


tiic  Work  of  REDEMPTION*  iii 

ihit  lived  about  that  ti^ie/ which  arc  ftill  cxtsnt  ;  particularly 
Virg'.l,  the  famons  poet  tha<1iVcd  ia  Italy  a  little  before  Chrift 
was  born,  has  a  p  tro  "abo'^t  the  exprif^^tion  of  a  preut  prince  that 
ws»  fo  be  born,  and  lh«  ha^.^py  titrr*  of  rightccwfnefs  and  pc;Tce 
tb?i  he  vrns  to  introduce  ;  fomc  of  it  very  much  in  the  Iangu»|^c  of 
the  prophet  Ifaiah. 

Another  ^*'3y  that  ihii  difperfad  ftita  cf  the  Jewt  prepared  the 
trsy  for  Cbrift  vras,  that  it  Ibo^cd  ihc  nccrflitv  of  abollilirg  th« 
Jewilli  difpcafalion,  and  introducing  a  new  difpcnfation  of  the 
cctenaDl.of  gr^cc.  It  (hovred  the  ncccff.ty  of  abol^bing  the  cere- 
monial lavr,  and  the  old  Jcvriih  ^rorlhip  :  For,  by  ihi«  means,  the 
obfcrvance  of  that  ccren:onia!  hvr  became  imprafticable  «ren  by 
the  Jews  themfcWes  ;  for  the  ceremonial  law  was  adapted  to  the 
f^ate  of  a  people  dwelling  together  in  the  fame  land,  where  was  the 
city  that  God  had  chofen  ;  where  was  the  temple,  the  only  place 
where  th^  might  ofe  facrifices  ;  and  where  it  was  lawful  for  their 
priefls  and  Levrtes  to  cffieiatCj  where  they  we'-e  to  bring  their  firf\ 
fruits,  and  where  th^  were  their  cities  of  refuge,  and  the  like* 
But  the  Jews,  by  this  difj^erfion,  lived,  many  of  them,  In  other 
lands,  more  than  a  tboufand  miles  diftant,  when  Chrift  ome  ; 
which  made  the  obfcrvat>on  of  their  laws  of  facrifices,  and  the  like, 
iBipra(f^icab!e.  Though  their  forefathers  might  be  to  blame  in  not 
going  up  to  the  land  of  Jur^ea  when  they  were  permitted  by  Cyruf, 
yet  the  cafe  wsi  now,  as  to  many  of  them  at  leaft,  become  iro- 
pradicable  ;  which  fbewcd  the  neceffity  of  introducing  a  new  dif- 
pcnfation, that  fhculd  be  fitted,  not  only  to  one  particular  land,  but 
to  the  general  circumftances  and  ufe  of  all  nations  of  the  world. 

Again,  another  way  that  this  difpcrfion  of  the  Jews  through  the 
world  prepared  ihc  way  for  the  fetting  up  of  the  kingdom  cf  Chrift 
ici  the  world,  was,  ihst  it  contributed  to  the  makkg  the  fadts  con- 
cerning Jcfus  Chriil  publicly  known  thro'  the   world.     For,  as  t 
obfervcd  before,  the  Jews  that  lived  in  other  countries,  ufed  frc- 
qucntljr^  to  go  up  to  Jerufslcra  at  their  three  great  fc^fts,  which 
were  from  year  to  year  ;  and  fo,  by  this  means,  they  could  not  but 
become  acqu;iint«d  with  the  news  of  the  wonderful  things  ihatChrifl' 
did  in  that  land,     We  find  tbait  they  were  prefcnt  at,  and  t^oit 
great  notice  of,  that  great  m!f?:cle  o(  raifingLazarus,  which  e:icitcd^ 
the  curiofity  of  thofe  foreign  Jews  that  come  up  to  the  feafi  of  ihg 
Paffoverto  fee  Jefus  ;  asyonmsy  fe«   in  John  xii.  ig,    20.    ji. 
Thefe  Grceki  were  foreign  Jews  and  p'-ofelytes,  as  is  erident  by 
thelr^  coming  to  wor  fill  pat  the  feaft   of  the   Pafibver.     The  Jews 
that  lived  abroad  among  the  Greeks,  and  fpoke  ibeir    language, 
were  called  Gretkt  vr  UelUnifit  :  io  they  arc  called  GrtfUnt,  A€ti 
vi.  I .     Thefe  Grecians  here  fpokcn  of  were  not  GentilcCbriftians  • 
fw  thb  W2I  beftare  the  calling  of  the  Gcatilca.  ^ 

By 


i^  A    K  I  S:T  O  K  T  o« 

By  the  fimrz  xcani,  the  Jc^vs  thai  wtnt  up  from  ot*ncr  countrict 
becacac  ac^ivain?cdl  wiih  Chrift's  crucifiiion.  Thus  the  dii'ciplcs, 
p;oing  to  Emmius,  fay  to  Chri/i,  when  ibey  did  not  know  hira, 
Luke,  XXIV.  18,  **  Art  thou  only  a  flrangcr  la  Jcrufslcm,  and 
hart  not  knovva  the  tbingi  which  have  conoe  to  pafs  there  io  thcfc 
day*  ?"  plainly  intia-.ating,  th^t  the  things  concerning  Jcfus  were 
Co  publicly  known  to  all  ckq^  ihst  it  was  wondctful  to  find  any  man 
unaequaintr:^  -.vith  Ihcm.  And  fo  afterwards  they  became  acqusict- 
ed  with  the  news  of  his  rtimctiion  ;  and  when  they  went  honae  a- 
g^in  into  their  own  cour.:ric3,  they  carried  ths  news  wi«h  ih^ai,  and 
fo  mndc  thcfc  fads  public  through  the  worid,  as  they  had  made  the 
pirophccks  of  them  public  before. 

After  this,  ihofe  foreign  Jews  that  cime  to  JcrufsSenn,  took  grett 
notice  of  the  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  at  Fentecoft,  a^d  the  won- 
derful efifccfis  of  it ;  and  many  of  tbcai  were  converted  by  it,  viz. 
Parthian»,  Mcdcs,  Elawiitca,  and  the  dwellers  in  Mcfa^o^imlt, 
and  in  Egypt,  and  tks  parts  of  Libyia  about  Cyrcr.e,  and  tbt  f.ran- 
geri  of  Rocnc,  Jews  and  Profclytes,  Cretei  and  Arabians,  Ab4 
fo  tbcy  did  not  only  carry  back  the  ncwi  of  the  fails  of  Chrifti** 
nity,  but  Cnii It ianiJy  itftif,  inio  their  own  countries  with  them  ; 
which  contributed  much  to  the  fpreading  pf  it  through  the  world. 
,  Again,  another  way  that  the  difperfion  of  the  Jews  coTitributcd 
to  the  feuing  up  of  ths  gofpcl  kirgdrm  in  the  worid  was,  that  it 
cpeccd  a  door  fcr  the  inirodudion  of  ihc  apofilen  in  all  placCf 
ni'herc  thty  earnt  to  preach  the  gafpel.  Fcr  ala-ic^  la  all  places 
wherG  sbsy  came  :o  preach  the  gofpel,  ihcy  found  Jcwi,  and  fy- 
nagogues  of  the  Jews,  where  the  holy  fcriipturcs  were  went  to  be 
lead,  and  the  true  God  woifuipped  ;  which  was  a  great  advantage 
to  the  apof\iC3  in  their  fp.cading  the  gcfpcl  ihiotigh  the  world. 
For  their  way  wa«,  into  vvhstever  cily  they  came,  firft  to  go  iQia 
the  fynagor^uc  cf  the  J:ws,  (ihcy  bciDg  people  of  the  faoit  lation), 
SDd  th*re  to  pr2a«h  the  gofpei  unto  them.  And  hereby  their  coal- 
ing, and  d:cir  naw  dcf^rine,  wac  taken  notice  of  by  their  (IfBntiie 
xicighbours,  whofe  curiollty  excited  thcta  to  hear  what  tbey  bad  to 
iay  ;  which  became  a  fsir  occafioa  to  the  apof.les  to  preach  the 
gofpcl  to  tUm.  It  appeari  that  it  viti  tkw,  by  the  aecoimt  wt 
^avc  of  fhing;s  m  the  Ac^s  of  the  Apciuos.  T/iefe  Geniilti  hir- 
ing been  before,  many  of  them,  prepared  In  fouie  mcafuPt.  by  the 
|:now?er!ge  nbcy  had  oi  the  Jews  religion,  and  cf  thelf  worfhip  of 
cne  God,  snd  of  their  prcphecies,  and  cxpeftation  of  a  Mcffiah  ; 
vrhlcb  knowledge  they  derived  from  the  Jews,  who  had  long  been 
their  neighbours  ;  this  opened  the  door  for  the  gofpel  to  have  ac- 
ccfi  to  them.  And  the  work  of  the  apofilci  with  them  was  doubt- 
lefi  much  eafisr  than  if  they  never  had  heard  anything  before  of 
any  cxpc(f^ation  of  fuch  a  perfon  as  the  apoftlcs  pteach^df  or  any 
tbiog  abaut  tht  worfhip  of  one  only  true  G^d*  So 


the  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  ii| 

%6  manv  ways  did  the  Bibyloai/h  captivity  greacly  prepare  tht 
way  for  Chrift'i  coming. 

11.  The  nest  psrcicuUr  that  I  would  take  notice  of  is,  the  ad. 
dition  madt  to  the  cannon  of  fcripture  in  ih<  time  of  the  captivU 
ty,  in  thofc  t*iro  resi^ikab^c  per: ions  of  fcripture,  the  prophecies 
of  £zekicl  and  Oiniel.  Chrit^  appeared  to  eich  of  thcfc  prophets 
in  the  form  of  that  natu''e  which  he  was  afterwards  to  take  u^oa 
him.  The  prophet  fcr.kiel  gives  an  account  of  hii  tbui  sppearing 
to  hitn  repeatedly.  a»  txik.  i.  26,  '*  Aad  above  the  tirmamcnt 
that  wai  over  their  heads,  WaS  the  likenefa  of  a  throne  at  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  fspphirc-ftonc,  and  t>pon  the  Hkcnefs  of  the  tbrona 
was  the  ifkenefs  ai  the  appearance  of  a  man  above  upon  it,"  And 
fochap.  viii.  i  2.  So  Chrift  appeared  to  the  prophet  Daniel  & 
Dan.  viii  15.  16.  '*  There  (!ood  before  me  as  the  appesranoft 
«f  a  man.  And  I  heard  a  maa's  voice  between  the  ba^ks  of  Ul^i, 
which  c-illcd;  and  faiJ,  Gsbrltl,  maks  this  razn  to  undcrftsnd  tht 
viiion."  There  arc  fcvcral  things;  that  ai'ko  it  evident,  that  thit 
was  Chri(\,  that  [  cannot  now  f^and  to  mention  particularly.  $9 
Chrif!  appeared  again  &s  a  man  to  this  prophet,  chap,  ji.  5.  6« 
*'.  Then  i  lift  up  mine  eyes  and  tooked,  and  behold,  a  ccrtsiv  msn 
clothed  in  Hnen,  whofe  loins  were  girded  with  fine  gold  of  Uphiz? 
bit  body  alfo  wis  like  the  beryl,  and  his  f&ce  as  the  appearance  of 
l^ghtntnc^,  and  his  eyes  as  lamps  of  f)ie,  and  hii  arms  aod  his  leet 
like  in  colour  topoliihed  brafs,  and  the  voice  of  his  words  like  the 
▼nice  of  a  mjliitude."  Comparing  this  vifion  with  that  of  th« 
Apoftlcjchn  in  the  ift  chapter  of  Revelation,  tuakcs  it  xtjanifcft  thai 
itwasChrti>.  And  the  prophet  D.4nie},  in  the  htOorical  part  of 
his  book,  gives  an  account  of  a  very  remarkable  appearance  o£ 
Chrifl  in  Nebuchadntxz^r's  furnace,  with  Shadrach,  Mcihach,  anJ 
Abednego.  We  have  the  account  of  it  in  the  3d  ch^pier.  lo  th« 
a 5th  verfe,  Chrifl  is  faid  to  be  Jike  the  Son  oi  Go  !  ;  and  it  is  asa* 
Bifcft  that  he  appeared  in  the  form  of  man  :  "  Lo,  I  fee  four  msn 
loofe.r-and  the  form  of  the  fourth  is  like  the  Son  of  God." 

Chrif!  did  not  only  here  appear  in  the  form  of  the  hum?in  n;3ture» 
Wit  he  appeared  in  a  furnace,  faving  thofe  pcrfon*  who  believed 
•n  him  from  that  furnace  ;  by  wh'ch  is  reprcfcntcd  to  ui,  ho^'. 
Ghrift,  by  coming  himfelf  into  the  furnace  of  God's  wrath,  favci 
thofe  that  believe  in  him  from  that  furnace, f^  that  he  has  to  powef  i 
en  tnen  ;  an1  the  wrjth  of  God  never  reaches  or  touches  thesn^ 
fo  much  as  to  fingc  the  hair  of  their  heads. 

Thcfe  two  prophets,  in  many  rcfpc6ti,were  more  particular  con** 
ccrning  the  coming  of  Chrifl,  and  hisglorica*  goJpcl  kirgdcm, 
than  any  of  the  prophets  had  been  before.  They  both  rf  theim 
noention  thof^  thTce  great  overturningsof  the  worlJ  that  (bould  b9 
ktiozi  he  ca«e.  Exckid  it  particular  ia  ftTcrsl  placet  concern* 
-  Q  lag 


Jl4  AMlSTORYof 

Ing  the  coflp^n^  of  ChrIA,  The  prophet  Dasie!  ii  more  partieifaf 
in  loreicHing  irc  cimc  of  the  coining  of  Chrift  than  ever  any  pro- 
IJ^htt  ha'1  been  before,  in  the  9  h  chap,  of  hit  prophecy  ;  who  fore- 
told, that  ii  Ikooid  be  ftveniy  weckt,  /  «.  fcvcnty  w&eks  of  yesirf» 
or  fevciity  times  f even  yeais,  or  four  hundred  and  nincij  yean, 
fiom  {he  decree  to  ebuild  ani  rcf^ore  the  Aate  of  the  Jews,  till  the 
M  iTiah  ih  uid  be  cruc«Hcd  ;  vrhich  muft  be  rcckoaed  frctn  the  cow 
mr^fton  g.vcn  to  Ezr^  by  Artaxcirxci  that  we  h«ve  an  account  of  la 
the  7  h  ch  p  o^  Exm  ;  vv^^ereby  the  very  particular  time  ofChriA'l 
eruc'fix  on  «vai  p  >nted  out,  wrhicb  never  had  been  before. 

T'^c  p  cphetEitckfcl  is  very  particular  in  the  my(\ical  deferiptlott 
of  t^.c  gofpcl  criLfch,  in  hl»  account  of  hii  vifioa  of  the  temple 
»nd  city,  in  ine  Lttcr  part  of  his  prophecy.  The  prophet 
D«niei  points  out  the  order  of  particular  events  that  (hould  come  fo 
pafi  fcl  :ttng  o  ihe  Chrtfttan  church  after  ChriA  was  come,  as  iht 
rife  of  AitichriA,  «nd  the  continuaucc  of  bis  reign/ and  his  fall, 
and  the  g'cry  that  fnould  follow. 

Thus'does  jjofpcl  light  ftill  incrcafe,  iht  nearer  wc  come  to  thf 
tia)c  of  Chri«*'>  birth. 

Ill  The  nx*  paHcu^ar  I  would  mention  i»^  the  dci^ru(f^ion  of 
Eabyfon,  and  the  cverthrow  of  the  Chaldean  empire  by  Cyrus. 
The  dcAru(f^ion  of  B  bylon  was  in  that  night  in  which  Be'fb  naf 
the  king,  and  the  cay  in  general,  was  drowned  in  a  drunken 
fel^ivsl,  which  they  kept  to  their  godi,  when  Daniel  was  called  to 
ycad  the  hand  writitig  en  the  wal?,  Dan. >.  jo.  and  ir  w?3  brought 
about  in  ^'irM  a  manner,  as  wonderfully  to  Ihow  the  hand  of  God, 
and  T'-oiark  b!y  to  fu'fi'  his  word  by  bis  prophets,  which  I  cinnol 
Jiow  Hand  part'^eularly  to  rdatc.  Now  that  great  ciiy,  whick 
b^"*  lonjj  brcn  an  c^emv  to  the  city  of  God,  his  Jerufaleia,  wa« 
defVrovrd  sfxrr  it  hal  Aood  ever  f:r,cc  the  firft  building  of  Babel, 
whicH  vir^s  about  <'eventecn  hundred  years.  If  the  check  that  wat 
fu*  to  the  bu'-Min^  thii  city  at  its  beginning,  whereby  they^crt 
prevfRtcd  from  c^rryi^g  of  it  to  that  extent  and  magnificence  that 
they  intend.'d  ;  I  f^y,  if  this  promot»d  the  work  of  redemption,  aa 
I  hire  before  fii  iwn  it  did,  much  more  did  this  dcAru<^ion  of  it» 
If  was  a  rematkihle  inftsrce  of  God'i  vengeance  on  the  enetnieSI 
of  his  redeemed  church  ;  forGod  brought  this  defiruaion  onB^bjIoH 
for  the  injutir^  fhev  did  to  God'i  children,  as  is  often  fef  forth  in 
t>\t  prophets,  h  A^io  promoted  the  work  of  redemption,  at  thereby 
God's  p-^opV.  that  were  held  c<.piWc  by  ihcm,  were  fet  at  liberty 
to  return  to  thrif  own  land  to  rebuild  Jcrufalem  ;  and  iherefort 
Cyrus,  who  did  it,  i»  cjlleiG)!'*  (b*pherd  therein,  If.  xliv.  lallW^ 
end  ;  aod  xlv.  1,  And  the^e  are  over  and  above  ihofe  ways  where!* 
the  fettin?  up  A^i  ovcrihro  vi  i(i  the  foir  mirnrchics  of  the  worhf 
promote  the  work  of  redemption,  whi«h  hive  been  before  ol-ferved.^ 
lY.  Wlut  ucEi  followed  ibii  wai,  tb«  icimh  ©f  lUj**^  »^  •*'«^ 

wWB 


the  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  iij 

Awn  land,  and  rebuilding  Jcrufalem  and  the  icmple.  C  jruf ,  ai  fooa 
as  he  oad  dci^royed  thci^dbyloniHi  eo^piic,  iind  had  cicdled  the 
Persian  empire  od  ill  ruiDs,  made  a  decree  ia  Uvcw.  ot  ihc  JctM* 
that  they  might  return  to  tneir  own  Und,  and  lebuilo  iheir  ciiy 
and  icmple.  Thii  tcturn  of  the  Jews  wut  oi  the  t5ibyioin(h  cup- 
liriry  ii,  next  to  the  rcdempiiou  out  oi  tgypt  the  oj&ft  ruD<iiJi<>bU 
•f  all  the  Old  ToUoacnt  ledecnpiions.  and  moh  iuhfied  on  ia 
fcflpture,  ai  a  type  of  ihe  great  icccnipticn  ot  Jwlui  ChrifU  If 
wai  under  the  hand  of  one  of  the  legal  Mnccfton  of  ChtiCt,  y'nm 
Zerubbabcl,  the  foa  of  i»hcaliicl,  Hhofe  B<«byluri'(b  e^Bie  wai 
$;icibbaztar.  He  was  the  governor  q{  the  }wt,  .ni  their  leader  in 
the  r  firil  return  out  of  captivity  ;  a.id,  together  wivh  J  (bua  the 
Icn  of  jofcdek  the  high  priel),  had  the  duel  band  ia  rcbuikhg  th« 
Cempie.  This  redempton  waibso't  about  by  ttic  hand  o  Z^iobtatcl 
and  Joihuatbc  pricft,  as  the  redemption  cut  oi  li^ypi  was  trcu^ht 
abvut  by  the  hand  of  M jfcs  and  Aaron. 

Tac  return  out  of  captivity  was  a  remarkable  difpenfatioB  of 
Providence,  it  vrai  rema^kiblc,  that  :he  heart  of  a  Heathen  piince« 
as  Cyrus  vrai,  fhould  be  fo  inclined  to  favour  fuch  a  defign  as  he 
4ld,  DJt  only  in  giving  the  people  liberty  to  return,  atid  rcbuitd 
the  city  ano  temple,  but  in  giving  charge  that  they  fhguld  be  helped 
with  fiivcr  and  gold,  and  with  goods,  and  w'ut  beats,  as  we  read  in 
J^sra,  i.  4. -^nd  af^ei  wards  God  wondcriuliy  inclined  thtthe«rt  of 
Darius  to  further  the  building  of  thehoufe  ofGod  with  hit  own  tribute 
.aioney,  and  by  commandin^^  their  bitter  cnemic>,tht  SsmaritanSfWho 
hai  been  Ariving  tohiod^r  them, tobejp  them  without  fail,by  furnifh* 
ingthem  with  aiithat  tbcy  needed  in  order  to  it,  and  10  fupply  thtna 
iiay  by  day  ;  making  a  decree,  that  whofucver  tailed  of  ;r,  limuer 
§iouli  be  pulled  down  cue  of  bis  houfe  and  he  hanged  thercv  n,  and 
fcilhoufe  m^tdc  a  dut.ghiH;  ai  weh^ve  an  account  in  ti  e  6:t  chaptCf 
ff  \iad»  And  after  this  Irod  inclined  the  heart  of  Art^kcixei 
mother  king  of  Petfi;^,  to  piomote  the  work  of  jcf^o  i  g  the  ft^tc 
•f  the  Jews,  by  his  ample  commitfion  to  Hx  a,  w(;ich  we  r.«vt  an 
tccouni  of  in  the  7:h  chapter  of  Ecra  ;  hipping  ihtm  .«Ur.d«tuiy 
«rith  filvcr  and  gold  of  bis  own  bounty , and  ctftiirg  mo<c,  a>  iho^i^ 
J^  needful,  out  of  the  K<ng'«  treafure  houfe,  >n  1  c^  mm-rdn  ji  hit 
treaiurcrs  beyond  the  r.vcr  liluphratca  to  give  tnorc,  «»  fhotiiu  be 
•ceded,  mi  to  ao  hundred  t;<(ei  1$  ot  tVivtr,  ar.d  anhu>diea  uicafqref 
cf  wheat,  an  hundred  bath»  of  wine,  «nd  an  huncied  bJiK>  of  oil, 
and  fall,  without  prcfcribiog  bow  mucn  j  «nJ  giving  lesvi  io  ef* 
tablib  magiftratcs  in  the  land  j  ana  fc-jng  the.piielh  ci  \p\\^ 
tfibutc,  and  euftom,  and  othtr  thirg  ,  wriici;  rci-oci  it»%  Crcvea 
•■d  commitfton  by  Art<^xcrxes  the  root!  t<ill  -in'i  ample  io  t\  t  Jcwt 
favoH-  of  any  that,  ac  any  time,  had  been  ^ivcu  lor  t  he  rel!uri:jf 
Uf  Jerufalem  :  And  therefore,'  in  Daniel's  prtphccy,  tt  i>  i  csilij 
Jk*  dicret  fr  rehoring  and  builiiiag  Jcruiaitjn  ;  aua  Uict  ([^ 
^ettaty  wciki  arc  dated*  ziuif 


ttS  A    M  I  8  T  O  R  Y 

A^t«r  th'i,  another  favourable  commiitioB  was  granted  by  the 
Khg  of  Pcrfii  to  Nchffmiah,  whic%  wc  have  an  account  of  in  th« 
fceond  cbapU^  of  NchcmJah. 

It  wa«  remark  b!c,  that  the  beam  of  Heathen  pnneci  ftiould  be 
fo  incJinci.  It  w4»  the  eiU.'\  of  his  power,  who  hath  the  beam  of 
k'r,f»8  in  hi»  h^^n  is  ani  tumeih  them  whitherfoever  he  will  ;  and 
it  w-Ki  a  rema  k^b'e  jrii^nce  o*  hii  favour  to  hi§  people. 

A  lothcr  fcrR^^k-.ble  ciiCumflancc  of  tbi*  rcititution  of  the  (>ate  of 
thf*  |?.ws  to  l-eir  own  i.vnd  wss  that  it  was  accoccpl'ft-itd  againft  fo 
m  jc^o  p  fit  Ion  of  their  bhtcr  indefatig^.bltcnemic:.  thcSamaritar*, 
who,  far  »  !ongt  nc  cogcther,  with  »U  ihc  maiice  and  craft  they 
coul  exe^cifc,  oppofed  ih;:  ]:«?$  in  thh  alTa»r,  atjd  fought  their 
deriru(f^(on  ;  oas  7r5l€  bj  B  ih!dm.  Mithridath,  Tabcel,  R^hum, 
»ni  S^imiVi^  »« J"  E^t^  *  iv.  and  then  by  T^tiy*',  Sheihaibojnai. 
and  their  companions,  a»  in  ch^p.  v  and  a^terw^-rd*  by  S^abalUt 
and   fobiah,  a»  wc  read  in  the  book  ot  Nch«en»ab, 

We  h4vc  ftj^wed  before  how  the  fci'lcmcni  ot  the  people  in  thi« 
land  in  }  j(hti^*i  lime  pro  (noted  the  wurk  of  ledemp  ion.  On  the 
fa  .tit  accoifit  docs  i  c«r  te^hfutii.n  clong  to  the  hmc  wotk.  »Thc 
fcfe!tl«^«* 't  of  ihrj:wi  in  the  lani  of  Canaan  bclor  gs  to  this  work, 
at  it  vrai.  a  nece  urj  mearsof  prcfeiving' the  Jcwilh  church  and 
difpcnf^tion  in  being,  till  Chrti^  tfeould  c^me.  If  it  had  not  beca 
for  thif  rcUoration  ot  the  J  wifl  chuich,  and  tcroplc,  and  wo^ftjtp, 
the  pcop'c  hal  rcoiiined  without  any  temple, and  land  of  their  own, 
that  would  be  as  it  were  their  bead  quarters,  a  place  of  wrrfhip, 
feabitition,  and  ref  jrt ;  the  whole  conTtitution,  which  God  bsd 
done  fo  ODuch  to  cftabUfk, would  have  been  in  danger  of  utterly  fail- 
ing, long  beioLC  that  fix  hundred  years  bad  bfen  out,  which  was 
frcm  about  the  dasc  of  the  captivity  till  Chrift.  And  fo  all  ihaj 
preparation  which  God  had  been  naaking  for  the  conntng  of  Chri/l, 
iircm  the  tEcna  of  Ab-rahanR,  wouldhavc  been  in  vain.  N  w  that 
very  temple  wai  buiie  that  God  would  fill  with  glo'y  by  Chrif^'s 
coming  into  it,  as  the  Prophets  Haggai  and  Zechariab  told  ibe 
Jcwi  to  enc>.'\!rage  them  in  building  it. 

V.  The  neat  particular  1  would  obferve,  ii  the  addition  i»»de 
to  the  eanox  of  che  fcfiptuiet  fooa  after  the  captivity  b\  the  Pro- 
phets H>^gg;at  aad  iucchariah,  who  were  propbeis  fent  to  eucouraga 
the  people  in  their  work  of  rebuilding  the  city  end  tenple  ;  and 
the  main  argument  they  made  ufe  of  to  that  end, is  the  approach  of 
the  time  of  the  coming  of  Chrift.  Hi^ggai  foretold  that  Chrin  (bould 
he  of  Zcrubbabcl's  legal  poAerity,  lai't  chap,  hft  verfc  This  fccmf 
to  be  the  hft  and  moft  particular  revclatioo  of  the  defcent  o^  Chriitg 
|oll  the  angel  Gabriel  was  fent  to  reveal  it  to  hit  mother  M^ry* 

VI.  The  tiext  thing  I  would  take  notice  o',  wa>  the   pouring 


*e  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  '117 

ptscft  after  the  c^ptiviiy.     Thmhcrc  was  fu«h   1  pouring   out  of 
ihe  Spirit  of  God  that  accoajp  in  led   tz-*'*   minillry,    is   manifeft 
by  many  thingi  in  the  Oooki   ot  tzi  and  Nchcuoiih.      P.cfcaily 
after  Egra  came  up  fr6mBabylon,*»itb  the  ample  ccmmiiTion  which 
^Artaxcrxcf  give  him,  whence  i^^iiitl's   fcvcniy    weeks  bcgac,  he 
'fet  hioifelf  10  reforua  the  vicci  aad  Corrup^ioas   he  found  smong 
the  Jews ;  and  his  great  fuccuis  in  it  we  have  an  account  of  in  tbc 
loih  Chapter  of  Ezra  j  io  thu   there  appeared  a  very  general  and 
great  anourniug  ot  the  cosigrejaiioa  oi  ITracl  fo*  then  fins,  which 
wai  accompanied  with  a  loktrja  covenant  that  the  people  entered 
into  with  God  ;  and  this  was  loilovved  with  a   g'-eat   and   general 
refer matioti,  as  we  have  there  aa  account.     The  people  »bout  the 
fame  time,  with  great  zeal,  and  eaineftncf3,and  revciencc,  gaihcr- 
C'i  thcnnfeivtj  tcgcshcr  to  ^;ca^  ihe  woru  o?  God  read  by  iLzr  {  j  and 
gave  diligent  aticaiion,  while  iizra  and  the  oihcr  prkiii  p  cached 
to  them,  by  reading  and  expounding  the  law,  and  were  greatly  af- 
fed*  1  iQ  the  h«aiing  oi  it.     Tney  wcpi  whsu  ihcy  heard  ire  worda 
©f  ihs  law,  and  fel  ihemfelvci  to   oblctvc  the   la-v,  and   kept   the 
fcaft  of  tabernacles,  as  the  fciipiure  oDiaves,    attcr  fuch  a  manner 
as  ithsd  not  been  kept  fince  ihe  days  oi  Jj.htia  «hc  (ox  of  Nun  ;  as 
we  have  account  in  the  8ih  chaptc.-  oi  Ncheoiiah  :  aher  -this,  hav- 
ing feparatcd  tbcmfitivci  fro  n  ill  ttraogers,  rhuy  folciunly  obfcrv- 
•d  a  faft,  by  ho^rirjg  the  Wv^rd  of  God,   confe.'Hng  their   fins,  and 
(renewing  their  covenant  wi:h  God  ;  and  niipji'ciied  their  flacerity 
in  that  iranfadion,  by  atlaaliy  riioroning  many  ibufcs  in  religion 
and  aioralj  ;  at  wc  kara  irona  the  c^ch  and  foii©wing  chapteii  of 
Mehenfiiab. 

It  ii  obfcrvable,  that  it  ha»  been  Goi'i  manner  in  every  retnar* 
kable  ncvr  cftabliib-ncnt  of  the  ftate  of  his  viliblc  church,  to  give  a 
retnarkable  outpouring  ot  teis  fpirit.  So  it  was  on  the  tirft  cfUb- 
lilhcnant  of  the  chufcri  of  the  Jews  it  iheir  tirit  cocking  into  Ca. 
BununJcr  Jolhu^,  ss  has  been  obferved  ;  and  fo  it  was  r.oA' ia 
tT-^«  ftcond  fcttlcai--ni  of  ihc  church  in  ch^  fame  bnd  in  the  time  of 
E^ra  ;  and  fo  it  was  on  ihe  ftrft  eiiabJifhairnt  oi  the  Chri'iiaa 
Chureb  after  Chrift's  refurttai  .n  ;  God  wifcy  and  gracicufly  by- 
i«g  ihe  foundation  of  thofc  c'tabiifh^mer.is  in  a  work  of  his  holy 
Spirit,  for  the  lafiing  benefit  of  th«  liate  of  his  church,  thencefor- 
ward eontinucd  in  tho^c  e.'t-ebliilj  ncnrs.  This  pouring  o^t  of  ihc 
Sp  rit  of  God,  was  2  fifj-^l  cure  of  tii^t  nation  of  that  pn-iicolar  fio 
wHic-i  fufl  befoT'tthrjy  cfpecialfy  run  into,  vi;:.  in.e'm^rryir»g  with 
the  GtitiU^  ;  for  howeycr  inclined  to  it  they  were  bc/ojc,  they  e- 
▼er  after  fh-wed  an  avcrfion  to  it. 

VII  Ez-a  added  t©  the  cannon  of  the  fcripturei.  He  wrote  the 
bo  Ic  of  Eira  ;  and  he  is  fuppofcd  to  have  writ'cn  the  boQk  of 
^^doidcf  J  li  izid  of  csopiiing  thcm^  if  ht  w^s  qu  ihc  auibo'  of 


al  A    HISTORY  of 

riie  matcrJali,  or  all  the  parii  of  thcfe  writingi.  That  thefe  booii 
were  wriiicn,  or  coofjpllcd  and  completed,  aiicrthe  eapiivity,  (the 
5hc  thing*  co.ilaincd  irj  she  book.*  tlKinfelvcs  on^kc  m;«DiJcft  ;  iot 
8hc  gciicalogiei  conuincd  therein,  arc  brought  du-n  below  ihc 
Captirity  ;  as  i  Chron.  iii.  17.  &c.  We  have  ibtic  nt\  dccou -tof 
ihc  pof^crity  of  Jchoiach  n  for  fcvcral  fuccciiivf  grnfei^iion  And 
there  is  mention  in  thefe  book*  of  this  captivity  into  Babylon, 
as  of  a  thing  paft,  and  of  ihin^i  that  were  done  on  the  return  of 
the  J9\f%  after  tlic  c^ptiviiy  ;  as  you  may  fee  in  the  gt\  chapter  of 
E  CbfOQ.  The  ehaptsr  is  moOly  tiJIcd  tap  w'th  an  account  of 
things  that  came  t  j  pafs  after  the  captivity  into  Babylon,  as  you 
aaay  fee  by  coiaparing  it  with  what  is  faid  in  toe  books  of  Ezra 
and  Nchemkh,  Thai  Ezra  v»Ji8  ihc  perfon  that  compiled  thcfe 
books,  is  probable  by  this,  becaufc  they  conclude  with  words  that 
Mtfc  know  are  the  words  of  Efds  hiftory .  The  two  Uh  vcrfei  are 
Esra^s  words  in  the  biftory  he  gives  in  the  the  two  fiifi  verfea  of  the 
book  of  Ezra, 

VIU.  Eira  it  fuppofed  to  have  colUcfled  all  the  books  of  wbieji 
the  holy  fcriptures  did  then  condft,  and  difpofed  thcai  in  their  pro. 
per  order,  Ezra  is  ofien  fpoken  of  as  a  noted  and  eoxinent  fciibc 
of  the  lavr  of  Gad,  and  the  canon  of  fcripture  in  his  time  was  naa- 
nifeftly  under  his  fpecial  care  ;  and  the  Jews, from  the  fit  ft  accountt 
we  hare  from  them,  have  always  held,  that  the  canon  of  fcripture, 
fo  much  of  it  as  was  then  extant,  was  eoUccled,  and  orderly  dif- 
pofed and  fettled  by  Ezra  ;  and  that  from  him  they  have  delivtrt^ 
it  down  in  the  order  in  which  he  difpofed  it,  till  Chrift'i  lime  5 
when  the  Chfiflian  church  received  it  from  them,  and  have  deli- 
Ttred  it  down  to  OAir  tiincs.  The  tri;tb  of  thia  ii  allowed  as  uq« 
(doubted  by  divines  in  general* 

IX  The  work  of  redemption  was  carried  on  and  promoted  i^ 
this  period,  by  greatly  multiplying  the  copies  of  the  Jaw,  and  ap- 
pointing the  conflant  public  reading  of  thtm  in  all  the  citiei  of 
Ifrael  in  their  fynagogucs.  It  is  evident,  that  before  the  eaptivi- 
ty,  there  were  but  few  copies  of  the  law.  There  was  the  original, 
laid  up  bcfide  the  ark  ;  and  the  kings  were  required  to  write  otit 
acopy  of  thelaw  for  !heir  ufe,  and  the  law  was  required  to  bt 
read  to  the  whole  congregation  of  Ifrael  once  every  fcvcnth  year. 
We  have  no  account  of  any  other  ft^ted  public  reading  of  the  law 
before  (he  captivity  but  this.  And  it  is  manifefi  by  fcveral  ihinga 
chat  might  be  meDtioncd,  that  copies  of  ibe  law  were  exceeding 
rare  before  the  captivity.  But  after  the  captivity,  the  conAaai 
reading  of  the  law  was  fct  up  in  every  fynaguguc  throughout  lb* 
land.  Firrl,  they  began  with  reading  the  law,  and  then  they 
proceeded  toeflayifh  the  conftant  readiig  of  the  other  books  of  tbf 
Oid  Icftai&eQt»    tclToai  were  rca4  out  of  tL«  014  Tcftamem,  ap 


the  Work  o!   REDEMPTION.  n$ 

•rt^e  uf^  o^  both  thtUvy  and  the  other  parts  of  ths  fcr!pture  theft 
•xtani,  in  all  the  fynagoguo,  which  were  fel  up  in  every  city,  and 
tvery  where,  where  ever  the  J  W8  in  any  considerable  number  dwell. 
If  our  ttjeeitng  houft*  are.  Thui  we  dhd  il  wa.t  in  Chrift'i  and 
the  -poftfcs  tide,  A^»  iv.  2 1.  *'  Mofei  of  old  tfuc  hath  in  eve* 
ij  ciry  thctn  that  preach  him,  being  read  in  the  fynagoguci  every 
fabbath  day."  This  cuftom  ii  uoifcrfally  fuppofed,  both  by  Jew! 
Ind  Cbrifti^nk,  lobe  begun  by  Eara.  There  were  doubtlefi  pub* 
ficaflcmblici  before  the  captivity  into  Babylon.  They  ufcd  to  tf* 
fbmble  at  the  temp^e  at  their  great  feaAs,  and  were  direded,  wkea 
they  weie  at  a  lofi  about  any  thing  in  the  law,  to  go  to  the  prieil 
for  inf^ruclion  ;  and  rhey  ufcd  alfo  to  rcfort  to  the  propfaci't 
houfei  :  and  wc  read  of  fynagogucs  in  the  land  before,  Pfal  Izziv* 
f .  But  it  fi  not  fuppofed  that  they  had  copiei  of  the  law  for  co«- 
ftanr  public  reading  and  expounding  through  the  land  before,  at 
tfterwardi  Ttiii  was  one  grv^at  oacans  of  tbcif  being  prcferved 
from  idolatry. 

X  T  t  next  fhing  I  wouH  mention,  !i  G^d'i  rttnirkably 
^referving  the  chu'ch  aod  nation  of  the  Jcwi,  when  they  were  in 
incroincnt  Harger  of  being  univerfally  deftroyed  by  Haman,  Wc 
bavc  the  i^ory  in  the  b  ok  of  Efthcr,  with  which  you  are  aciuiinl- 
•d  Thit  ferica  of  providence.  wa$  very  wonderful  in  preventing 
tfaii  dcftru^ion.  Efthcr  wa»  doubilcfi  both  for  tbii  end  to  be  the 
inftrument  of  thfi  rema'k.Me  prcfervation. 

Xf.  After  ihi«  the  canon  of  fcriptHre  wa§  further  added  to  la 
•hebooki  of  Ntbcmiah  and  Either  ;  the  one  by  Nehemiah  bimfelf} 
and  when  the  otheri  wai  written  by  Nehemiah,  or  Mordeeal,  or 
Malachi,  ii  not  of  importance  f(-r  ui  to  know,  fo  long  at  it  ii  on« 
•f  thofe  books  that  wcie  alw  yi^  admitted  and  received  as  a  part 
•f  their  canon  by  ibc;  Jews,  and  wai  among  thofe  books  that  tb« 
Jewscallcd  their  fciptures  in  Chri<^*»  time,  and  asfueh  was  ap« 
jjirovcd  by  him  :  For  Chrift  does  often  in  bis  fpcechcs  to  thcjewt 
oaanifeftly  approve  and  confirm  thofe  books,  which  amongft  tbeot 
went  by  the  name  of  the feripturtf,  as  might  cafily  be  (hown«  ii 
there  were  ttmft  for  it. 

Xn.  Afterthis  fhe  canon  of  the  Old  Teftament  was  complcat* 
•d  ani  fcafcd  by  M  Jachi.  The  manner  of  his  concluding  his  pro- 
phecy fcems  to  imply, th^t  thry  were  to  expe<ft  no  more  propheeicf, 
and  no  more  written  revelations  from  God,  till  Chrift  fhould  come. 
For  la  the  laft  chapter  he  prophecies  of  Chrift's  coming  }- ver,  t .  j. 
•'  Ent  unto  you  that  fear  my  name,  ihall  the  Sun  of  righteoufueft 
trife  with  healing  in  his  wings ;  and  ye  (hill  go  forth  and  groif 
up  as  calves  of  the  Aall.  And  ye  fliall  tread  down  the  wicked  ; 
lor  thry  fhxll  be  as  ailiei  under  the  foles  of  your  feet,  in  the  day 
tfcttlfk^UdeihiitfaitbthelMdofkofiK*'    Tbea  we  read  in  vcr« 


izft  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

4.  "  R^i1*mSef  yc  the  Uw  of  M^fci  my  fcrvinf,  which  I  ccm- 
nimdcd  unto'oiji  in  Horeb  for  all  Ifrscl,  with  iho  flatuteJ  aid 
)iii^f:m€n\%,"  i.  c.  Rctntmbcr  and  improve  what  ye  have  ;  k«cp 
c'ofc  to  ih  it  written  rufc  you  have.,  as  expcd  Lg  no  more  ^tddiEi* 
on»  to  it,  til!  the  night  of  »bc  Old  FdUoicr.l  ii  over,  and  th«  Sun 
of  rightfcufncfs  ifcall  nt  length  arife. 

XIII  Soon  after  this,  ihc  fpirit  of  p^o^Vecy  ccafcd  smonp  that 
peop'e  till  ihe  time  cf  the  Ne'V  Tcft;,mcnf.  Tn us  the  Old  Tcfla* 
B>ent  light,  ihc  fla*s  of  the  long  ni^ht,  iregan  apace  10  hide  their 
fceads,  the  time  of  the  Sun  of  righteoufncfs  now  dewing  nigh. 
We  before  ohfervcd,  how  the  Kingi  of  the  houfc  of  Davfd  ceafei 
before  the  true  King  sad  head  of  ?he  church  came  ;  and  how  the 
cloud  of  g^cry  v^-iibdrcw,  before  ChriR,  the  brjghtnefa  of  the  Fa- 
llens glory,  apj^esred  ;  and  fo  as  to  fercral  other  things  And 
DOW  at  {aft  the  fpirit  of  prophecy  ccafcd.  The  tione  cf  the  great 
prophet  of  God  was  now  fo  nigh,  it  was  ttjnc  for  their  topical  pro* 
pheti  to  br.  filent,  and  (huf  theif  eaouthi. 

Wf.  hste  now  j^ooc  through  with  the  trmcthst  we  have  any  hl- 
floficv.)  account  ol  in  ihc  wrstins^s  of  the  OM  TcftacBcnt,  and  the 
laft  thJr  g  that  wa£  mentioned,  by  which  the  work  of  redcaaptioa 
wa<  prom  ^ted,  was  the  ce^fing  ©f  the  fpirit  of  prophecy. 

I  n  ^w  p  or.ced  to  tk j  v  haw  the  work  of  redemption  wa»  carried 
en  through  the  remaining  tinnc  that  were  before  Chrii%  :  in  whisll 
wc  h^vc  not  that  thread  of  fcripture  hif^ry  to  guide  uj  thai  we  have 
bad  hiihcrto  ;  but  have  tbcfe  three  things  to  guide  lu,  v  z  theprophe- 
cies  of  ihcOid TeAsonpnt,  hunaan  hiAorics  of  ihofe  times,  5^nd  fome 
ijccifional  mention  m^ide,  and  fome  evidence  given,  of  fome  thingi 
which  happcnd  in  thoft  tiiorjei,  in  the  New  rcftan-ent.  Thetefore, 
XIV.  The  next  psrticular  that  I  (h  til  msution  uvrsdcr  this  periods 
is  the  deftru£tion  of  the  Petf'an  empire,  and  fiiting  up  of  the  G'e- 
cian  erapnc  by  Altxanacr.  This  came  to  pafs  about  fixty  or  fe* 
TCniy  years  after  the  tttacs  wherein  the  prophet  Mialachi  is  fuppofed 
to  have  ppophtficd,  and  about  three  hundred  and  thirty  years  before 
Chrif^.  This  was  the  third  overturning  of  the  world  that  came  t* 
jsafs  in  this  period,  aad  was  greater  and  more  remark;«ble  thaa 
either  of  >lie  f  jrc»oing.  It  was  very  remarkable  ©n  account  of  the 
fuddcnnefi  of  th»»t  conquel't  of  the  world  which  Alcicandtr  mad©, 
ttrd  the  grcatnefs  of  the  empire  whioh  he  fet  up,  which  much  ex» 
fec'ed  all  rhe  toregoing  ia  it«  extent. 

This  fvfnt  is  much  fpokcn  of  in  the  prophecies  of  Dmiel.  Thtt 
empire  is  repref«n»ed  by  the  third  kingdom  of  brafs  iti  Daniel't 
Jrtefprctation  of  Nchuchadnc/iar's  dream,  as  in  Dia.  ii.  ;  and  ffi 
Daniel's  vifioo  of  the  four  hearts,  is  reprefented  by  the  third  heaft 
that  was  lika  a  leopird,  that  hadoB  his  b^ck  four  wingi  of  a  fowl, 
tp  fcprtfsnt  the  (wiftncfa^f  its  coaqucft,  chap.  vit.  j  and  is  more 

particiolarly 


th«  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  TON.  ,  121 

particularly  reprcfentcd  by  the  he  goht  in  tht  8  h  chapter, ihatcsmt 
from  ihe  weft  on  ihc  face  oi  ibe  *tholc  catih,  nd  Jouchcd  uot  the 
ground,  to  rcprefcnt  how  fwifily  Akxandcr  over- ran  the  wojIJ. 
The  ang*:l  himfeif  decs  cx^icfjlj  intc-prtt  th•l^c-^;oal  to  O^jriiiy  ha 
king  of  (Jecia,  vcr.  21.  The  rough  gost  in  ih'  klvg  of  Grccia  ; 
and  :bc  gcal  horn  that  it  between  his  eyes  is  the  hn:  king,  i.  c. 
Alexander  tii'mfclf. 

After  Alexa  der  had  conquered  the  wo^Iff,  he  fcon  died  ;  and 
fcti  dominion  did  not  dcfccnd  to  his  poftcriiy,  but  four  of  hii 
principal  csptairis  diviir'^  his  empire  bctwcccj  them,  as  it  there  fol- 
lo#rs.  Now  that  being  bioktn,  whereas  four  iiood  up  for  it,  four 
king  ioms  (hall  ftand  up  out  of  the  nation,  but  not  in  hii  power  ; 
fo  you  may  fee  ii3  the  iiihchip.  of  Daniel.  The  angel,  after 
foretelling  of  the  Perfian  empire,  then  proceeds  loforetel  of  Alex- 
ander, ver.  3.  "  And  a  mighty  king  ihall  ftandup,  that  fhali  rale 
with  great  dominion,  and  do  according  to  his  wiii."  And  tlen  he 
foretcis,  in  the  4th  verfe,  of  the  dividing  of  hi?  kngdom  bcnveen 
his  four  captains  :  •*  And  when  he  (haM  /land  up.  his  kingdom 
AihSI  be  broken,  and  (h^ll  be  divided  toxvard  the  four  winds  ol  he^- 
Tcn  ;  and  not  to  hii  pwlterity.  nor  according  to  his  dominion  whicb 
he  ruled  :  for  his  kir.gdcm  (hsll  be  plucked  up  even  for  others  bc- 
fiies  thofe."  Two  of  ihcfc  four  captain?,  whufe  kingdoms  were 
next  to  Judea,  the  one  had  Egypt  and  the  neighbouring  countries 
on  the  fouth  ot  Judea,  and  the  other  had  Syria  and  the  neighbour- 
ing countries  north  of  Judea  ;  aud  thefc  two  arc  thofc  that  are 
called  the  kings  of  the  north  and  of  the  fcuth  in  the  iithch*ipter  of 
Daniel. 

Now  this  fetting  up  of  the  Grecian  empire  did  greatly  prrotr* 
the  way  for  thccjming^of  Chrift  and  fetting  up  lis  kii  g  on^  i'  the 
world,  B:fides  ihefe  ways  common  to  t  t  o  he  ovc  ujning^  of 
the  world  ih  this  perioi,  that  have  bfr*n  4reaf1y  mcntJoncd.  there  it 
cne  peculiar  to  this  rev j^ution  which  I  would  t  ke  notice  v  f.  wh  cfci 
did  remarkably  promote  the  w-w  k  of  redemption  ;  and  that  wa«, 
that  it  made  the  Greek  language  common  in  the  wor'r*.  To  have 
one  common  language  underfiood  and  ufe'^  thTugh  thr  gteater 
part  of  the  world,  was  a  thinjr  th^t  did  g-e^ilv  pTp-  e  rhc  way  for 
the  fetting  up  of  Chrif^'s  kingdom  This  g-ve  3nv:^r»  c*"  for  fprcad- 
itig  the  gofpcl  from  one  nation  to  anoth-r,  and  fr^  'hrouph  a'l  na- 
tions, with  vail'v  g' eater  cafe,  than  if  every  ni.t  i^  h;?d  a  -^fnct 
language,  and  did  not  underft^nd  each  oiMcr,  For  »h  u-:h  foixe 
©f  thefirft  preachers  of  the  gofpel  hid  the  fifr  of  I  rpu  g<*s  fo  that 
thev  couH  preach  in  any  Imguage  ;  yet  all  hjd  not  <his  parficu**.? 
gift  ;  and  they  that  had,  could  not  rxcere 'fe  ir  **dien  ihev  would, 
but  only  at  fpecial  feafons,  whrn  the  fpirit  o^  G  ^^  wpi  p^ea'ed  to 
inf^ire  ibcoi  la  tj^is  way.  The  chuisb^  ia '  diffcrcat  parts  of  tho 
f  world. 


I2S  AHlSTORYrf 

world,  M  the  churchc!»  of  jttuhhna,  Antioch.Galaiia.Gorintfe,  amd 
cihcri,  which  ^crc  in  countries  dii^ant  o.ic  from  anotherj  ce^ild  not 
have  had  that  communic-iiioa  one  vrith  another,  whi«h  wchavc  ant 
*ccount  cf  in  t.^.e  hock  of  Mli»  if  they  bad  bad  ne  commoa  lan- 
guage. So  it  v»ai  before  the  Grecian  empire  Tvasfttt  up.  Bat  af- 
ter this,  miny  in  ^11  thofe  countrici  vreli  undcri^ood  the  facne  Ian- 
gu^^c,  viz  the  Greek  laRg^iagc  ;  which  wonderfully  opened  ifec 
door  for  mJtual  communication  between  thofe  churches »  fo  far 
feparatcd  QIC  irooQ  another.  Again,  tht  making:  the  Greek  Isa- 
gu.^gc  coniaDOB  through  fo  great  a  part  of  the  world,  did  wonder- 
fully make  .tay  for  the  fet;ing  upof  ihe  kirgdcm  ef  Cfarift,bec«ufe 
it  was  the  language  i»  which  the  New  Tcftament  wai  to  be  origi- 
HaUy  writtca.  Tne  spoft'cj  propngated  tba  gofpsl  through  many 
fcorc«  of  nanons ;  and  if  rhfy  could  not  have  underftood  the  Eiblt 
any  other  wife  than  a*  it  was  tranfl>tcd  into  fo  many  langyagcs,  tt 
would  h-^vc  rendered  thefpreading  of  the  gofpel  vaftly  more  difit- 
cult.  But  by  the  O  cek  language  being  made  common  to  til, 
they  al!  undcrftoorf  the  N<?wT«ftamcnt  of  Jefus  Chrif^  in  their  lan- 
guage in  which  the  apofliesand  CTangelifls  originally  wrote  it  :  (m 
that  as  fox'  as  ever  it  was  Written  by  its  original  penmea,  it  ian- 
mediately  lay  open  so  ihe  world  in  a  language  that  was  commonly 
tinderrtood  every  where,  as  there  was  no  language  that  was  fo  com- 
moaly  unicr'^o^d  in  the  world  in  Cbrift's  and  the  apoftles  times  ai 
the  Greek  ;  the  caufe  of  wbick  was  the  felting  up  of  the  Gre«iaft 
empire  ia  she   world. 

XV.  The  next  thing  I  fliall  take  notice  of  is,  the  traoflatioa  of 
the  fcripturei  of  itc  Old  Tcftamcnt  iato  a  language  that  was  com* 
»only  underfVood.  by  the  Gentiles.  The  tranflatien  thst  I  htre 
fpe^-k  of  it  that  into  the  Greek  language,  that  is  commonly  called 
the  Scptuagint,  or  the  trai.flatioa  of  the  Seventy.  This  it  fuppofci 
to  have  been  m  dc  about  titty  or  fwiy  years  after  Alexander't  con- 
quering rhe  world.  This  is  the  firfl  tranfiation  that  «7cr  was  made 
of  the  fcrip'jjres  that  we  hive  any  credible  account  of.  The  canoB 
of  the  Old  Tefk-iment  had  been  compleaied  by  the  prophet  MiiacM 
but  about  an  bunired  and  twenty  years  before  in  its  •riginal  ;  and 
hitherto  thefcriptureshad  reraaiaed  locked  up  from  all  ether  nati- 
ons but  the  ]^v^$,  in  the  Hebrew  tongue,  which  was  ondcrf^cod  by 
no  other  nation.  But  now  it  was  tranrtated  into  the  Greek  lan- 
guage, which,  as  we  obferved  be 'ore,  was  a  language  that  wis 
commonly  underAood  by  the  nations  of  the  world. 

This  iranflation  of  the  Old  Teftament  is  flill  extant,  and  U  com- 
Bionly  in  tbe  hands  of  learned  men  in  thefe  days,  aad  is  made 
Ijreat  ufe  of  by  them.  The  Jews  have  many  fables  about  the  occa- 
fion  and  manner  of  tbii  tranfiation  ;  but  tbe  truth  of  the  eafe  U 
Ivppofcd  to  be  thit^  tbat  mukitutloi  •!  tba  Jcwi  IiTing  in  oth« 

pzm 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  123 

^srti  of  the  world  bcfi:i»  Judea,  and  being  born  and  bred  among 
the  Gre. k«,  ihc  Greek  Dcc-oic  ihcir  Cumwoo  language,  anJ  iDcy 
did  wot  under fiarid  the  original  Hebrew  ;  and  turrctOiC  ifccy  {>ro- 
wred  thefcripturei  to  be  (r«(.ncited /or  their  ufe  into  the  G  cck 
larjv,uage  :  and  fo  henceforward  the  Jew»,  in  all  countries,  except 
Judca,  were  wont  in  ttieir  f)nagcguci  10  auake  ufe  oi  this  tianna* 
tioa  inftcai  of  the  Hebrew. 

Thia  traollition  oi  the  fcrl{f>tures  into  a  language  commonly 
uodcrftood  ihreagb  the  world,  prepared  the  way  for  Chrlft'f  com- 
ing, and  fctting  up  his  kingdom  in  the  world,  and  afterwards  olid 
greatly  promote  it.  For  as  the  apdi^Ies  went  pfc.-ching  ihrougli 
the  world,  they  made  great  ufe  of  the  fcripturca  oi  the  Old  fefta- 
meat,  and  efpecialty  of  the  prophecies  conccraing  Chtilt  that  were 
contained  ia  them.  By  oceans  of  this  tranflation,  and  by  the  Jcwt 
being  fcattered  every  where,  they  had  the  fcriptures  at  hand  in  « 
language  that  was  undcrflood  by  theGentiles  :  and  they  did  princi- 
pally make  ufe  of  this  tranllrUion  in  their  preaching  and  writingi 
where-ever  they  went  ;  as  is  evident  by  this,  that  in  a!l  the  innu- 
merable quotations  that  are  made  out  of  the  Old  Tcftoment  is  their 
writings  in  the  New-Tellament,  they  arc  yimoil  evrry  »»hete  ia 
the  very  words  of  the  Scpcuagint.  The  fenfe  is  the  fame  as  it  is  ia 
the  original  Hebrew  ;  but  very  often  the  words  arc  diifcrent,  as  all 
ikat  are  acqudiinted  with  their  Bibles  know.  V/hcn  the  apof^lct  in 
their  epiftles,  and  the  evatgelifls  in  their  hiftorics,  cite  paif^gst 
out  of  the  Old  Tei^amcnt,  it  is  very  often  in  difFcieid  word*  from 
what  we  have  in  the  Old  Teftament,  ai  all  icnow.  But  yet  jt  tfc 
•Stations  arc  almoft  univcrfally  in  the  very  word*  of  rht  S^ptuagia* 
▼cffion  ;  for  thit  may  be  fecn  by  compi.ir  g  ihcm  together,  tncy 
b:ing  both  written  in  the  fane  language,  r&is  makws  it  evideat, 
that  the  apoftles,  in  their  preaching  and  writings,  commonly  m^dt 
ofc  of  this  traii3itiun,  i»o  this  very  tiar<i.^tion  was  that  which  vt  aS 
pfiiicipBlly  ufed  in  Cbrifti-in  chufchc*  through  moft  naiions  of  tht 
world  for  feveral  hundred  years  after  ChriA. 

XVi  The  next  thing  is  the  wonderful  prefervationof  the  church 
ivhcn  it  was  imminently  tbrcatcned  and  p^rlwcu^ed  under  tac  Gre- 
cian empire. 

The  tiffl  time  they  were  ihrcitencd  w^s  by  Alcxan  !cr  Hmftlf. 
When  he  was  btfuging  the  c  ty  oi  lyre,  icnJmg  to  t^e  J.  ws  for 
«fl&i\ancc  and  fuppiie«  for  his  army,  and  chcy  f»;  uhng.oui  oi  -j  ton- 
fcicntious  reg-irj  to  their  OAib  10  the  iting  ot  PcJii,  he  txm^  a 
min  of  a  very  lurious  tpirir,  agreeable  to  ttc  Icr jpiuie  repreftnra- 
lion  of  the  rough  he  got!,  maicbcd  jigainft  tncm,  with  iOzf^gn  ta 
cut  them  uflf.  But  the  prierts  going  out  to  aicai  tim  i\i  their  pne^l* 
Ij  garments  whei  he  met  taem,  Gad  wonacrfuUy  turned  h.i  hear 
to  fparc  them,  ni  favoof  iAwJAj  m^ctk  as  he  (lid  ih«  heart  of  Efaf 


13:4  A  ^  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

A'^ier  this,  one  of  the  kings  of  Egypt,  a  fuccefifcr  cf  oneA!cxan» 
dct'si  four  captains  ent«:ri.^ined  a  ddign  of  rtcfttoying  ihc  nation 
of  the  Jews  ;  but  was  remark.tbly  and  wonderfully  prevented  by  4 
ftrongcr  iatcrpolition  of  Hf^avcn  for  their  prcfcrvation. 

But  the  moft  wondesfai  p.efcrvarion  of  ihcaa  all  in  this  period 
wai  under  the  crud  pcrfccuuon  of  Adiiochus  Epiphsncs,  king  of 
Syria,  and  fuccelTor  of  another  of  A'ciander's  four  cs-ptains.  The 
Jews  were  at  that  time  fiitjeif^  to  the  power  of  Aatiochus  ;  and  he 
being  enraged  agiinft  them,  lorg  ftrovc  to  hi*  utmofl  utterly  to 
dcfiroy  th-on,  and  root  them  out  ;  at  l;aft  all  of  ihcm  that  would 
not  for2<ikc  jheir  religion,  and  i*'orlbip  &h  iioU  :  and  h«  did  in- 
deed in  a  grsat  mastfure  waiU  tht  country,  and  depopulate  the  ci* 
ty  of  Jcrafakm  ;  and  profaned  the  temple,  by  fetiing  up  his  idol* 
in  foaae  parts  of  it  ;  and  perfccjtcd  the  people  with  irjfaiiab'e  cru- 
elty ;  fo  that  we  have  no  account  of  any  perfec»;sIon  like  his  before* 
Many  of  theparticuhr  circumftancea  of  ibi«  p<jrfcc»tion  would  be 
very  kffcdting^,  if  I  had  time  rv>*m(i:t  on  them.  This  cruel  pcrfccu- 
tion  began  about  an  hundreci  and  feventy  years  before CfciiH  It  i» 
much  fpoken  of  in  tii«  prophecy  of  Daniel,  as  you  m^y  fee,  Dan. 
viii.  9  — 25.  ;  xl^  51.-— 38.  Tnefe  perfccations  are  ai fo  fpoken 
of  in  ihcNsW'T^ltaxenr,  as,  Hcb"  xi.  36.  37.  38. 

Anriochus  intended  net  only  to  txtirpais  ih«  Jcwift*  religion, 
but,  ai  far  as  in  hioj  lay,  the  very  nation  ;  and  particularly  bbor- 
ed  to  ihcutaai^  to  dtftroy  ail  copies  cf  the  law.  And  corifidering 
how  weak  they  were,  in  compsri-fon  with  a  kinjof  fuch  vaft  do- 
minion, the  prcvidencs  of  God  appears  very  wonderful  in  defeat; 
ing  his  defign.  Many  times  the  Jews  fetmed  to  be  on  the  very 
bunk  of  ruin,  and  juft  ricady  to  be  wholly  fwallowcd  up  :  ikeir  c- 
ncmics  often  thought  theoaftlvcs  furc  of  obtaining  their  purpofe. 
They  once  came  againft  the  people  wiih  a  mighty  army,  and  witk 
a  dzfign  of  killing  all,  except  the  women  and  children,  and  of  fel- 
ling thcfe  for  Haves  ;  and  tb«y  were  fo  confident  of  ©btaining  their 
purpofe,  and  others  of  fiurchafidfg,  that  above  a  thoufand  iiercharils 
came  with  the  army,  with  money  in  their  hands,  lobuy  the  flaves 
that  fnould  be  fold.  But  God  wonderfully  {lirr«d  up  and  afliftf  d 
C'C  judas,  and  oihcrs  bis  fucceffois,  thai  were  called  the  Macca- 
bees, who,  with  a  foiaU  handful  in  comparifon,  vanquifhed  their 
enemies  time  after  tiKic,  and  delivered  their  nation  ;  which  wsi 
foretold  by  D^nid,  xi.  32  Speaking  of  Antiochus's  pcrfeculioa, 
fee  f^ys,  *'  And  fuch  as  do  wickedly  againft  the  covenant,  (Lall  he 
corrupt  by  flatteries  :  but  the  people  that  do  know  their  God,  Ihall 
be  Arong,  and  do  exploits." 

God  afterwards  brought  this  Antiochui  to  a  feaiful,  mifcrabic 
end,  by  a  loathfome  difcsfe,  under  dreadful  torments  of  body,  and 
horrors  of  mind  ;  which  was  foetold,  Dan.  xi.  45.  in  thef?  wo»ds, 
*  Yd  be  ihiil  come  to  bis  ead^  aad  Qoac  iball  help  him*'^       Aitet 


t^e   Work  of   REDEMPTION.  125 

After  his  death,  there  were  attempti  ftill  to  deflroy  the  church 
of  God  ;  but  God  baiHed  ihcm  all. 

XVU.  Ihc  next  thing  10  be  taken  notice  of  is  the def^.ru^ioii 
of  the  Grecian  empire,  and  fctting  up  of  the  Roman  empire.  Thit 
was  the  fourth  ovcriurning  of  the  world  that  was  in  this  period. 
A::d  though  it  wait  brought  to  pafs  more  gradually  than  the  fetting; 
up  of  the  Grecian  cmpiic,  ytt  it  far  exceeded  that,  and  was  much 
tbc  grcstcft  and  largeit  temporal  monarchy  that  erery  was  in  the 
world  ;  fo  that  the  Roman  empire  was  commonly  called  all  thg 
Mtorli  ;  as  it  is  in  Luke  ii.  I.  "  And  there  went  out  a  decree  from 
Qxidt  Auguftuj,  that  all  the  world  Ihculd  be  tared  ;"  i.  c.  all  the 
Roman   empire. 

This  empire  is  fpoken  of  as  much  the  ftrongeft  and  greatcft  of 
any  of  the  four  :  Dan.  ii.  40.  **  And  the  fourth  kingdom  Ihall 
b:  tirong  as  iron  :  forafmuch  as  'ron  breakcth  in  pieces,  and 
fubdueih  all  things  :  and  as  iron  that  breaketh  all  thefc,  (hall  is 
break  in  pieces,  and  bruife."     So  alfo  Daniel  vii   7.  19.  23. 

The  time  that  the  Reman:  firfl  conquered  and  brought  under  tKc 
land  of  Judca,  was  between  fixty  and  fever ty  years  before  Chrifl 
was  born.  Soon  after  thik,  the  Roman  empire  was  cftabii(hed  in 
in  greatci^  extent  ;  and  the  world  continued  fubjedt  to  this  empire 
henceforward  %i\\  Chriil  came,  and  m<iny  hundred  years  afterwardi* 

The  nations  of  the  world  being  united  in  one  monarchy  when 
Cbrift  came,  and  when  th'e  apofties  went  forth  to  preach  the  gofpel, 
did  greatly  prepare  the  way  for  the  fprcading  of  the  gofpcl,  and 
the  fetiing  up  of  Chrift's  kiagdooa  in  th«  world.  For  the  world 
being  thuf  fubjcit  to  one  government,  it  opened  a  communication 
from  nation  to  nation,  and  fo  opportunity  was  given  for  the  more 
f wifely  propagating  the  gofpci  througa  the  world.  Thus  we  find  it 
to  be  now  ;  as  if  any  thing  prevails  ia  the  Englifh  nation,  th« 
communication  is  quick  from  one  p^rt  of  the  nation  to  an6thef» 
throughout  all  part*  that  are  fubjcd  to  the  Englilh  government, 
much  caficr  and  quicker  than  to  other  nations,  which  are  not 
fubjcd  to  the  Engiiiii  government,  and  have  little  to  do  with  them* 
There  are  innumerable  difficuhici  in  travelling  through  different 
nations,  that  arc  under  difecat  independent  governments,  which 
iLcrc  arc  not  in  travelling  Jhrough  different  parts  of  the  fame  realm, 
or  different  dominions  of  the  fame  prince.  So^'^e  world  being 
under  one  government,  the  government  of  the  Romans,  in  Chrlft's 
and  the  apofties  times,  ficiiiiatcd  the  apofties  travelling,  and  the 
gefpcl'*  fprcading   through    the  world, 

X\rui.  Ab)iit  the  fame  time  learning  and  philofpphy  were 
rifcn  to  their  greateft  height  in  in  the  Heathen  would.  The  time 
of  Icaraing'ft  fiourifhing  in  the  Heathen  world  was  principally  in 
this  period*    Almofiali  the  f amoui  philofophcra  th&t  we  have  an 

aecouat 


lU  A    HISTORY    of 

account  of  among  the  Hcat'otn,  were  after  ihe  captirlry  Into  Ba* 
fcylon.     AJmoft  iil  the  wife  men  of  Greece  and  Komc  fl:>anfh- 

ca  io  this  lione.  Thcfe  pbilofopbcrs,  many  of  ihem,  wcc  inficcd- 
Biea  of  great  temporal  wifdom  ;  and  thai  which  they  in  genersii 
chiefly  profefTci  10  make  their  bulincfs,  wai  to  inqui;e  virljeiein 
mati's  chief  happt:i«fj  lay,  and  the  way  in  which  men  mi^ht  obtaia 
bappincfs,  Tr.cy  l"c:ai:d  carrjc  ily  to  bufy  thcnfelvc*  in  lhi»  in- 
quiry, 2Dd  wrote  rrultijudt*  of  booki  about  it,  many  of  which  are 
ftill  Citanl.  And  they  were  exceedingly  divideJ  in  their  opinion* 
about  it.  There  have  been  reckoned  up  fcvcral  hundrtd*  of  differ' 
en t  opinions  that  they  had  cjaceratng  it,  Thui  they  we-tricd 
thcmr<:Iv«  ia  ?aio,  wiadercd  i.i  the  dirk,  not  having  the  gtoriou* 
gofpelto  guide  them.  God  was  ple^fed  to  fuffer  men  to  do  ihft 
mmoft  that  they  cowld  wiih  human  wifdom,  snd  to  try  the  extent 
of  their  own  uaderftandings  to  find  out  the  way  to  h^ppincft,  be- 
fore the  truelighi  caeoe  to  calightcn  the  world  ;  bcfoso  he  f^nt  the 
great  Prophet  to  isid  men  in  the  right  way  to  happincfs.  Oo4 
fuffcrcd  thcfc  great  phiiofophers  to  try  what  they  could  do  for  fix 
hundred  years  logniher  ;  and  then  it  prcvsd,  by  the  events  of  io 
loug  a  time,  ihii  all  they  cou'd  da  ivaa  ia  vain  ;  the  world  cot  be- 
coming wifer,  better,  or  happier  under  their  inftrufiionii  but  grow- 
ing ojore  and  more  foolifb,  wicked,  and  milcrabie.  He  fufferei 
their  wifdom  and  philofophy  to  come  to  the  gftateli  height  before 
Cbrift  came,  that  it  m'lghi  be  fcsn  bow  far  rfcafoa  and  philofophy 
could  go  in  their  higaerc  afccnt,ifeat  the  necefliiy  of  a  divine  teacher 
might  appear  befor*  Chrift  came,  And  God  was  pleafcd  to 
enakc  fcolifti  ihe  wifdom  of  this  woiId,to  (hew  men  the  folly  of  their 
beft  wifdom,  by  the  dof^trincs  of  his  glorious  gofpel  which  weff 
above  the  reach  ©^  all  their  philofophy.  Sec  i  Cor.  i.  19  to.  zi; 
After  God  hadHicwcd  the  vanity  of  hum.tn  learning,  when  fet 
up  in  the  room  of  the  gofpcl,  God  was  pleafsd  to  make  it  fubfcr^ 
vient  to  the  purpofei  of  Chrifl's  kingdom,  as  an  handmaid  to  di- 
vine revelation  ;  and  fo  the  prevailing  of  learning  in  the  world  ba- 
forc  Chrift  came,  made  way  for  his  coming  boththefc  w*y»,  viz, 
911  thereby  the  vaniry  of  hu«an  wifdom  wa>  (bawn,  and  the  necef- 
fty of  the  gofpcl  appeared  ;  a«d  alfo  as  hereby  an  h«ndm«id  wai 
prepared  to  the  gofpel :  for  fo  it  was  made  ufe  of  io  the  Apoftit 
P  uJ,  wko  wa*  limed  for  his  much  learning,  as  you  may  fee  Ada 
xxvi.  24.  and  wis  fkillsd  not  only  in  the  learning  of  the  Jews,  but 
fclfo  of  the  philofophcrs  ;  and  improved  it  to  the  purpofes  o'.  the 
gofpcl ;  ss  you  may  fee  b«  dii  in  difputing  with  ihcphilofopbers  at 
Athens,  A£is  xvii.  21.  kc.  He  by  his  learning  knew  how  to  a«- 
comasodate  himfe'if  ii  his  difcourfes  to  learned  »icn,  as  appears  by 
this  difcourfa  of  his ;  and  he  knew  well  how  to  improve  what  h« 
kii rcidia  ibeir  WiidaiS ;  aaiu  t.rc  cuu  ihw  own  poets.    Now 


^t  Work  cf  R  S  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  If .  I*f 

fisJonyfiuii,  that  wai  a  phHofopher,  w«g  convtrtcd  by  him,  and  af 
ecckliafifc^l  fciv^ory  give*  u»  an  Recount,  made  a  gtcai  indrument 
»f  pr  .moting  thi:  go'pcl.  And  ibcrt  wcf<  many  othcri  in  ihat  anJ 
lh«  JoUjwing  a^ic^,  viho  wcrt  eminently  ufcful  by  ihcir  butDail 
Udrain^  in  prooiuting  ^^c  iniercfts  of  Chiift's  kingdom. 

XIX  Juil  before  Cti:u\  wai  born,  the  Roman  empire  wai  raif. 
«d  <oii»  grciicrt  ncight,  and  alfo  fculcd  m  peace.  About  four 
and  twcn  y  ycat»  bd'oicChiift  was  born,  Au£uf*.ui  Casiaf,  lK«  tirtl 
Jioorian  coa^cror,  bcgsn  to  rule  aft  cmpcicr  of  the  world.  Till  then 
the  R  Qiiji  exrpiic  h%\  cf  a  lorg  time  been  a  commonwealth  cndcr 
tfci  govcp  wen  of  the  fcnale  :  but  then  it  bccr.me  an  abfoiutc  mo- 
oarchy.  Thi»  Ai-g^^ftu  C^far,  ai  he  wssihcfiift,  fo  he  wai  the 
greatcft  ©f  all  the  Roman  emperors  :  be  reigned  in  the  greateft 
glory.  Thui  the.  power  of  the  Heathen  world,  which  was  Sa- 
tan's vifib'e  kingdom,  was  raifcd  to  its  prciUft  height,  after  it 
had  been  iifing  higher  an<i  higher,  and  ftrengihenbg  itfcif  more 
aid  m»rc  from  the  days  of  Solomon  to  this  day,  which  was  abcut 
Mth  ufandy<ari.  Now  it  appeared  at  a  greater  height  ihan  ever 
«l  appeared  frcm  the  firrt  beginning  of  Sjtaa'iHeathtn.ih  lingdonn, 
which  was  prob.bly  about  the  time  of  the  building  of  B.bcl.  Ns-^w 
the  H*athei  world  was  in  its  grtattft  gtory  lor  ftrcngih,  wealth, 
lad  Icarniag. 

God  did  two  things  to  prepare  the  way  for  Chrift's  crming, 
whertb  he  took  a  contrary  method  from  ih^l  which  hiiman  wifioaa 
w»ttld  have  taken.  He  brought  hii  own  vifible  f  eoplc  very  lew, 
and  made  them  weak ;  but  the  Heathen,  that  were  his  enemiei,  he 
•xslted  to  the  greatest  height,  for  the  more  gloriobs  tiiumph  of  the 
•rofs  of  Chrii'^.  Wjth  a  fmall  number  in  their  greateft  weakn<  fs. 
ke  conquered  bis  enemies  in  their  greateft  glory.  Thus  Chrift  tri- 
•mphed  over  principilitics  and  powers  in  his  crofs. 

AuguftosCacfir  had  been  for  many  years  eftiblifliing  the  ftale 
•f  the  Roman  empire,  fubduing  bis  ctiemici  in  one  part  and  ano- 
ther, till  the  very  ycjr  that  Chrifl  was  born  ;  when  all  his  enemiei 
Veing  fubducd,  and  hts  dominion  over  the  world  feemed  to  be  fet-, 
tied  in  its  greateft  gJ«ry,  All  was  eftablifhed  in  peace  ;  in  lokea 
whertof  ihe  Romans  (hat  the  temple  of  Janus,  which  was  an  cAab- 
lifli-d  fymbol  amoogthcm  of  there  being  aalverfal  peace  through- 
out the  Romw  empire.  This  univcrfal  peace,  which  was  bcgua 
that  year  that  Cbfift  was  born,  l.fled  twelve  years,  till  the  ycai 
that  Chrifl  difputid  with  dolors  ia  the  temple. 

Thus  the  world,  afi«r  it  had  been,  as  it  were,  in  a  ootjtinual  Con* 
Tulfion  for  fo  many  hundred  years  together,  like  the  four  windf 
#rivin|;  together  on  the  tumultuous  raging  ocean,  whence  arofc 
Ikufe  four  great  monarchies,  being  now  eltabiifhcd  in  the  greatefl 
height  «ftkcieurtbaA4  lad  Qoniichy,  and  fettled  ia  quictnefi  ; 


128  A    H  I  8  T  O  R  T    of 

BOW  all  thingi  »re  ready  for  the  birih  of  Chri#.  Thii  remarkable 
unlverfat  pcacc^afccr  fo  many  agc»  of  tumult  and  war,  waj  a  fit  i  rc- 
lude  for  the  ulhcring  of  the  gloriouspA-incc  of  peace  into  the  world. 
Thus  I  have  gone  through  the  firft  grand  period  of  the  whole 
fpacc  betA'cen  the  fall  of  man  and  the  end  of  the  world,  vi  z  that 
from  'he  fall  to  the  time  of  the  incarnation  of  Chrift ;  and  hare 
ihow^  the  truth  of  the  firft  propofiiion,  viz  That /row  the  fall  0/ 
man  to  the  incarnation  cfChriJi,  God  was  doing  thofe  things  thai 
were  preparatory  to  Chrift'i  ceming,    and  were  forerunners  of  It. 

IMPROVEMENT. 

BEFORE  I  proceed  to  the  next  propofuion,  I  would  make 
fome  few  remarks,  by  way  of  improvement,  upon  what 
bas  been  faid  under  this. 

I.  From  what  has  been  faid,  we  may  firongly  argue,thaijcfu«  of 
Nazareth  is  indeed  the  Son  ofGod,  andtbtSiviour  of  the  woiH  ;  and 
fo  that  thcChriftian  religion, is  the  true  religion,fceing  that  Ch.  iA  i| 
the  very  pcrfon  fo  evidently  pointed  st,m  aU  the  great  difpecfatioa* 
of  divine  providence  from  the  very  iall  of  man, and  was  fo  undoubt- 
edly in  fo  many  inAances  foretold  from  age  to  age,  and  fhadowcci 
forth  ia  a  vaft  variety  of  types  and  figures.  If  we  fcriouuy  con- 
fider  ihc  courfe  of  things  from  the  beginning,  and  obferve  the  mo- 
tions of  all  the  great  wheels  of  providence  from  one  age  to  another, 
we  fhall  defcern  that  they  all  tend  hiihcr.  They  arc  all  as  fo  many 
lines,  whofe  courfe,  if  it  be  obfcrved  and  accurately  followed,  it 
will  be  found  that  every  one  centers  here.  It  is  f©  very  plain  i« 
many  things,  that  it  would  argue  Aupldity  to  deny  it.  This  there- 
fore is  undc»iab!e,thai  this  perfon  h  a  divine  perfon  fcnt  ffOis.God, 
that  came  into  the  world  with  his  commiflion  and  authority,  to  do 
Jiis  work,  and  to  declare  bis  mind.  The  great  Governor  of  the 
world,  in  all  his  great  works  before  and  fincc  the  flood,  to  Jews  and 
Gentiles,  down  to  the  time  of  Chrif^'s  birth,  has  declared  it.  It 
cannot  be  any  vain  imagination,  but  a  plain  and  evident  truth, 
that  that  pcrfon  that  was  bornin  Bethlcheai,  and  dwelt  at  Nsrireth,- 
end  at  Capernaum,  and  was  crucified  without  the  gales  of  Jerufa* 
lem,  mufl  be  the  great  Meifiah,  or  anointed  of  God.  And  bUfl*- 
ed  are  all  they  that  believe  in  and  confefs  him,  and  miferable  ar« 
all  that  they  deny  him.  This  (hows  the  unrcafonablcnefs  of  the 
Delfts,  irfeo  deny  revealed  religion,  and  of  the  Jews,  who  deny  that 
this  Jefus  is  the  Mefliah  foretold  and  promifcd  to  thtir  fathers. 

Here  it  may  be  fome  perfons  may  be  ready  to  obje('i,  and  fay. 
That  it  may  be,  fome  fubtle,  cunning  men  contrived  this  hiftory, 
and  thefe  prophecies,  fo  that  they  flaould  all  point  to  Jefus  Chrift 
on  purpofc  t©  confirm  it,  that  he  is  the  Mefliah.  To  fueh  it  may 
be  replied.  How  could  fuch  a  tbiag  be  c^^airiTed  by  euoning  men, 

tt 


Ihe  Work  of  REDEMPTION.  i^^ 

to  point  10  Jefui  Chrift,  long  before  he  ever  vrai  born  ?  How 
could  mcy  krjovr  that  ever  any  fuch  pcrfon  would  bt  barn  ?  Acd 
kow  cculd  their  craft  and  fubtiliy  help  them  to  forcfce  and  pjiat 
at  an  cvcai  that  vra  to  come  to  pzU  many  agc»  aftervraidi  ?  /or  no 
faCl  can  be  more  evident,  thsn  that  the  Jews  hsd  thofe  vMiiingi 
lonj  before  Chrii:  was  born  ;  as  they  have  ihcai  ftili  in  great  vei  e- 
ration,  whercr-cver  they  arc,  in  all  their  d if pci  lions  ihrouith  the 
World  ;  and  they  would  acver  have  tcctived  fuch  a  coitrivanct 
iVooa  Chriftiani,  to  point  io  aiid  contirm  Jcfui  to  be  the  M-ifiJih, 
whom  they  alvvsys  denied  to  be  the  Mclfuh  ;  and  much  lcf»  would 
fhey  have  been  lEadc  to  believe  thit  ihay  alwayihad  hail  thof:loolLJ 
fo  their  hands,  when  they  were  firft  ftiadc  and  impofcd  upon  4h<m» 

II.  What  has  been  faid,  :^fF'jrd»  a  ftronj  iTgument  for  the  di- 
vine authority  of  the  books  of  the  Old  Tefiamentj  frooi  that  id- 
»'irabl«  a^roiony  there  ii  in  them,  wncrcby  tKey  ail  point  to  ihs 
fame  thing.  For  we  m^y  fee  by  what  has  been  faid,  how  all  thtg 
parts  of  the  Old  T«i1ament,  though  written  by  fo  many  diffsient 
penmen,  and  in  ages  dif^ant  one  from  another,  do  ail  haronor.izC 
oae  with  another;  all  agree  i»  one,  and  all  Centre  in  the  fame  thing* 
and  that  a  future  thing  ;  an  event  which  it  wai  impoflible  any  one  of 
thsOT  Ihould  know  but  by  divioc  revclauon,  event  the  future  ccmi  g 
of  Chrift.  This  is  haoi^  vvideat  and  ORisifcfl  in  thcta,  as  appears 
hy  what  has  been  laid. 

Now,  if  the  Old  Telhcnent  was  not  mfpired  by  God,  whal 
account  can  be  given  of  fueh  an  agrtemeBi  ?  ior  if  thefc  bookl 
were  only  human  writings,  writtea  without  any  divine  diredlort, 
then  uone  of  thcfe  penmen  knew  thst  there  would  come  fuch  %  per* 
foD  as  Jefus  Chrif\  into  tbe  world  ;  his  coming  Was  only  t  mers 
$gmeat  of  their  own  brain  ;  and  if  fo,  how  happened  it,  that  tbii 
^gmcnt  of  theirs  came  to  pafs  >  H jw  catoc  a  vain  imagination  of 
theirs,  wMch  they  foretoW  without  any  manner  of  ground  of  their 
prcdidto.v,  to  beeza£)ly  fulfilled  ^  and  efpecially  how  did  they 
some  all  to  agree  in  it,  all  pointing  cxifAly  to  thef^me  ihiof^tho' 
Inany  of  them  lived  fomany  hundred  years  diftlnt  one  from  ancttei^ 

This  admirable  confent  and  agreement  in  a  future  event,  is  there- 
fore a  clear  and  sertaia  evidence  of  the  divine  authcrity  of  ib«f« 
Writings. 

ill.  Hence  we  may  learn  wkat  a  weak  and  ignorant  objs^foa 
it  li  that  feme  make  again/t  fomc  parti  of  the  Old  Tcftament'i  be^ 
iDgthc  word  of  God,  that  they  confif\  fo  much  of  hifloriei  of  the 
Iran  and  civil  tranfadions  of  the  kings  and  people  of  the  natioa 
of  the  Jews.  Same  fay,  We  find  here  among  tbe  books  of  a  par- 
ticular naticn,hirrories  which  they  kept  of  the  ftaie  of  their  nailoa 
from  one  age  to  aaoiber;  hiftoriea  oi  their  king&  and  rular»,w;A«rIei 
fi  Uteir  wart  with  the  neighi^ouriog  naiiooii  Acd  kufiorics  of  ikg 

(4  f^ujiei 


il9  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    •! 

ch^nfff'  tS»t  hippcned  from  time  to  time  in  their  ftue  and  gov«rii« 
inert  ;  and  fo  Wf  fi  d  th*t  oiber  nations  ufcd  to  keep  h'tUoriw  of 
of  ihcir  public  aflf«iri,  as  well  as  they  ;  and  why  then  rtiould  wt 
think  that  ihrfc  hiOoriet  which  ihrjtvri  kept  are  the  word  of  God« 
lBor6  than  thofe  of  other  people  }  But  what  has  been  faid,  (hows  ihtt 
folly  and  viniry  of  fuchan  o  j  e^io-».  Far  hcrtby  it  appciri,  thai 
thccafs  of  (he  hi^^orics  is  very  different  ffoai  that  pf  all  other  hif- 
tories  Thii  hiftory  alone  g'vsi  us  an  account  of  th«  firft  original 
ofallthirg^  ;  and  this  hif^ory  alone  dcdtccs  things  down  in  « 
won-lerful  fcriei  from  that  original,  givirg  an  idea  cf  the  grand 
fcheme  o^  divine  providenee,  as  tcnditig  to  itsgre;^^!  end.  And  to- 
gether wi  h  the  dod^rines  and  prophicei  contained  in  it,  the 
fame  book  gives  a  view  oi  the  whole  feriei  of  the  great  events  of  di- 
vine p  ovid<:ncc,  frorti  the  firft  original  to  the  lafl  end  and  conftim- 
st'i  1  of  nil  things,  g'ving  an  excellent  and  gloriour  account  of  thd 
tififc  and  holy  dcfigns  o^  ivhc  governor  of  the  world  in  all. 

N  )  coiT>min  hillo  y  has  fuc  i  ptiimen  as  this  hiftory,  which  wtl 
all  wriiren  b\  men  whi  came  with  evident  figns  and  ttfliaconicf 
of  t^cir  bfinj»  p  ophcts  of  the  moi\  high  G>d  inamedistely  infpired. 
T,-)i.  hiOorics  that  were  wriitcn,  at  wc  have  fcen  from,  what  hat 
b-ert  f«id  tinrfcr  this  propofiiion,do  all  eont^tin  thofe  great  events  of 
p  (>wir»cnc^,  by  which  it  >ppeai8  how  God  has  been  c.rryiag  on  tht 
gicr'ojt  d  viie  w  ;rk  of  rcdcnnptioa  from  age  to  age.  Fhi  ugh  tkey 
are  hiftoricf,  yet  they  aie  no  left  full  of  divine  mfliuclion^  and 
thofe  thi'Ng^  that  fliow  forth  Chril^,  and  hii  glorious  gofpel^  this 
Other  put*  of  ihc  holy  fen p;ures  which  *r€  not  biflorical. 

T)  J'>je  1  ig^in^  a  bj  k's  being  divine,  merely  bccxufe  it  i§ 
hiftoficjl,  is  1  poor  ol  jftion  ;  jufl  as  if  that  could  not  be  ihc  word 
of  G  >  1  w'lic^  ^ivcj  an  <ccjuni  o^  what  is  p^(k  ;  or  a«  though  it  wert 
not  rcifon^blc  to  fi  ppofe,  thai  God,  In  a  revelation  he  (hould  givt 
ai'ilciil.  wjili  g!/e  u«  any  reUtioi  of  tke  difpenfationi  of  bit 
o«vn  provider  ce.  If  it  be  f.-»,  it  muft  be  becaufc  hi»  works  arc  nog 
uronhy  to  be  related  ;  it  itiuf^  be  becaufc  the  fcbemc  of  his  ^ovcrq. 
mcnt,  and  f«rie«  of  his  difpcnfations  towards  his  church,  and  to- 
ur <rdj  nc  w)rld  that  be  ha«  mide,  wheieby  he  has  ordered  anddif- 
pofd  it  from  age  to  age,  is  not  worthy  that  any  record  (hould  be 
Jccpt  of  it. 

The  of  i;''>ion  th^t  is  mide,  Tnat  it  is  a  common  thing  fof  nati- 
on«  and  kin^^dnms  to  write  hino' ies  and  keep  records  of  their  wari| 
ynd  the  revjiution*  tha'  come  to  pafi  in  their  territories,  is  fofar 
f  on  heir  (^  a  weighty  ot:j  <^ioo  againfl  ibe  hiftorit<<l  part  of  fcrip- 
lure.  »» though  It  v^e  e  not  the  word  of  God,  that  it  is  a  fliong 
a'g'iment  in  favour  of  it.  For  if  re^fon  and  the  light  of  nature 
teach^i  all  civil'zed  nations  to  keep  records  of  the  eveali  of  tbeif 
kuoaa  govcian«at|  aad  the  luici  of  ihtii  adaiaiArationi »  and  t* 

(ubliik 


Ihe  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  M.  ijj 

pubUfb  hiAorie*  for  the  information  of  otheri ;  how  much  eoort  mry 
wc  cxpcft  that  Gjd  would  give  iqc  world  a  rtcjrd  of  ihc  difpcnf i- 
tioas  o(  hi*  divine  govcrnoient,  which  d<^ubtlefs  it  inHniicly  ido  9 
worthy  of  an  hiftory  for  out  iDfonnotioo  ?  if  wife  kingi  have  u- 
ken  care  ihst  there  fhuuld  be  good  hiftoriei  written  of  the  nation! 
over  which  they  have  reigned,  fh.U  we  think  it  incredible,  ihit 
Jcfus  Cbrifl  OiJuld  tike  care  that  his  chu'^ch,  which  i*  his  naiion, 
bi»  pt^culiar  people,  (hould  have  in  ibeir  hands  a  certain  infallible 
liiftory  o(  their  nation,  and  of  his  government  of  theoi  ? 

It  ii  hid  not  been  for  the  hif^ory  of  the  Oid  Tcfumcnt,  ho^f 
wofully  ffaould  we  have  been  left  in  the  d^k  about  iii.sny  tbtrgt 
which  the  chui^ch  of  Qjd  ijeed*  to  know  !  How  ignoram  (hou'd  w^ 
kave  been  o^  God's  dealings  towards  oiaiikind,  and  tcwardi  big 
church,  fro®  the  beginning  I  and  we  would  have  been  whol!y  m 
the  dark  about  the  creation  of  the  world,  the  fall  of  m^n,  the  fiift 
fife  and  continued  progfcfs  of  the  difpenfations  o>  gr;iice  towirdi 
fallen  mankind  !  and  we  fhould  have  known  nothing  bow  Gud  at 
a  it  fct  up  a  chuich  in  the  world,  and'how  it  was  prcfcrved  ;  after 
what  tnanner  be  governtd  it  from  the  beginning  ;  bow  the  light  of 
the  gofpel  firft  began  to  dawn  in  the  woild  ;  how  it  incfcifcd,  aa4 
bow  things  were  preparing  for  the  coming  of  ChtKk, 

If  we  are  ChriAians,  wc  belong  to  that  building  of  God  that  hat 
been  tbe  fubjsdl  of  our  difcourfe  from  this  text  :  but  if  it  had  not 
beea  for  the  kiftory  of  the  Old  Tcftament,  we  (hould  never  have 
known  what  was  the  fiifl  occafion  of  God's  going  about  this  build- 
ing, and  how  tbe  foundation  of  it  was  laid  at  fii  ft,  and  how  it  ha« 
gone  on  from  the  beginning.  The  times  of  the  bifiory  of  ihc  Old 
Tedament  are  moflly  times  that  no  other  hiflory  reaches  up  10  j  and 
therefore,  if  God  ha^  not  takca  care  to  give  and  prefervc  an  ac» 
eount  of  thefe  things  for  uf  ,we  lhc»u!d  have  been  who  I y  without  thcin 

Thofc  that  objed  againft  tbe  authority  of  the  Qld  Tcftiocni 
bitory  of  the  nation  ot  the  Jews,  nssy  as  well  make  i(  an  objc(f^ioa 
againt  Mofes's  account  of  the  creation  that  it  is  hiftotic4!  ;  for, 
in  the  other,  wc  have  anhiftory  of  a  wo;k  :  o.  lefs  impotiarit  v  z, 
the  work  of  redemption.  Yea,  this  is  a  far  greater  and  moc  go 
f  ious  work,  as  wc  obferved  before  ;  that  if  it  be  inq/iied  which  of 
the  two  works,  the  work  of  creation,  or  the  work  of  provi  !cnct, 
is  greattft  ?  it  muft  be  anfwered,  the  work  of  providence  ;  but  the 
work  of  redemption  is  the  greate(\  of  4k  woiki  of  povidencc. 

Let  thofe  who  make  this  cbj-.aion  cnnfider  what  part  of  ih'  O'i 
TeAameni  hiilory  can  be  fpared,  without  making  a  grea't  breach  in 
that  thread  or  ferlcs  of  events  by  which  this  glorijus  work  has  bc€i| 
carried  on.— -This  leads  me  to  obferve, 

IV.  That,  from  what  has  been  faid,  we  may  fee  much  of  ih« 
V^UdoA  of  Godia  ibc  covpofitioa  of  tbe  fcri()turci  pfihiOld  Tcf^^. 

lucatf 


lit  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

movjt,  !.  e.  in  the  parts  of  which  It  confilb.  By  nhat  it  ha*  beef 
Itjd,  wc  miy  fee  ihatGod  hath  wifely  givrti  U5  fuch  revelation*  in 
the  O'.d  Tcftrtment  as  we  ncrdcd.  Ltt  r.s  briefly  lake  a  view  cf 
$be  fcvcfiij  parts  of  it,  aad  of  the  need  there  was  of  thcoa. 

Tbuf  it  waa  neci-lpry  ibat  wc  (l^ou^J  hav**  {c>ti*.z  account  of  ibe 
^rcacioQ  ci  the  wo? Id,  ard  o*  the  cJegcncrary  oif  it»  and  cf  the 
iiniverfr*!  d«j5uge,  »nd  fomc  account  of  s'-e  oiigla  of  nations  after 
this  dKfi:v;u:lioti  of  m^akifc^. 

It  fcftorjs  ncceffayy  that  there  ihoxxld  bp  fome  accc5«nl  of  the  AiC' 
ficffioo  Qf  i|iC  church  of  Gad  frcai  the  bzglunmg  :  and  feeing  God 
fuffcrci  all  the  vrorsi  to  vjIegCRs/src,  and  cr;!y  toe*  or.c  nation  t«* 
be  his  people,  to  prcfervs  the  true  woffbip  sr.d  rcf/gi?^  »iU  tbe 
Saviour  cf  (he  •rorld  J'hould  coroc,  thai  «n  ihcjr<  th«  vrofid  might 
gradur.il}'  be  prepared  fpr  that  gieat  Sigh?,  ajid  ttofe  woncJerfal. 
iniigi  that  he  wa»  to  be  the  sythor  of,  i^  th»t  they  ir'ght  be  * 
fcypicai  nation,  and  th-i^  m  !hc«r.God  mighc  ('lacSovv  foifih  and  teach, 
as  undtr  a  vtt),  all  future ,g'oyjf>ui  ih^r-gs  of  tl^c  gofpel  ;  it  wsf 
therefore  r,«cefTary  ths?  v^e  fno^lal  hav*  fcire  scc^iunt  of  this  thing* 
liovv  it  wasfirf^  dont  b}f  the  EsMlng  of  Abr&haa»,  atici  by  their  beirjj. 
bond-Haves  in  Eg.ypt,  arid' ho ^  tocy  Wiire  brcught  to  C»naan.  It 
wa?  ncccfTs'y  '^^t  we  ^loull  have  fanise  rcc.ou:it  cf  the  feveiallo* 
^'hich  God  tiisd«:  of  h:f»felf  to  tasi  p?op'e,  in  giving  their  law,  and 
in  the  appo'-n^^a^nt  of  their  rypicst  w^crOipj  s?;d  thofc  thirgt 
wherein  the  gofpcl  is  V3,ikd,  and  of  the  forming  of  thut  people^, 
both  as.  ^Q  their  cW'l  ai*^:?  eeG!cicafuca1   f^a»e. 

It  f«cms  exceeding  ncccfTary  tkat  v/e  iboj!d  have  forae  accoup!^ 
of  their  bsifig  a!!^ua!ly  brovghr  to  Canaaiif  the  rountr^  that  wag 
ftheir  promifei  isnd,  and  wh<;*c  they  anv^-ya  dwdt.  U  (ct.m%  very 
nec^lTspy  that  we  ib&uid  h;.vc  an  htf^ory  of  the  fucettnons  of  the 
churcli  of  ifTae^.,  and  of  thofe  providences  o?  God  to«vards  ihero., 
%hicK  were  moli  confj  jcrablc  and  f  ulleft  of  go fpel  myAcfy.  It  fecms. 
Btccffary  that  ^rc  faouJd  have  feme  account  of  the  hfghefi  ptomifcd 
external  g'Ory  of  thaJ  natitm  tender  David  and  Solcnncn,  and  that 
we  (fejuli  have  a  very  partictilar  account  of  David,  ^fhofe  hifiory 
h  fo  full  of  the  gofpfil,  and  fo  nccefTary  in  order  to  i!it!oducc  tht 
Jcfpti  into  the  world,  and  in  whom  began  the  race  of  their  king*  l 
and  ibiit  v/e  (bou!d  have  fome  account  of  the  building  of  th«  tsnipU, 
which  wsB  alfo  fo  full  of  gofpcl-myftcry. 

It  is  a  matitrr  of  great  eookquence,  that  vrc  fbouli  have  feme 
account  of  Ifraci's  dividing  from  Jud?,h,  and  of  the  ten  tribes  cap- 
tivity and  utter  rejedion,  and  a  brief  account  why,  and  therefore 
a  brief  hif*orv  of  them  till  that  tiaoe.  I:  i»  nccefTit  v  that  wc  (liould 
bavc  an.  account,  of  the  fucceffiott  of  the  kings  of  J  ida,  ?nd  of  the 
church,  till  their  captivity  into  Babylon  ;  sad  that  wc  fhould  have 
icvae  account  of  their  return  from  their  csptivitv,  and  rcfcttlcment 
IB  thair  own  hnd,  and  of  the  origin  of  lbs  laf:  ftjitc  that  the  thurc^^ 
gp|.i  U  Ixf^re  Qhiift  6»mc»^  A. 


Ae  Work  of    K  E  O  E  M  P  T  I  O  M.  135 

•  A  IhiU  confi.'«rav.on  will  conviof?  fvery  onr,  tl^st  sll  thcfe 
things  were  ncr.riTivy,  and  that  none  of  them  '-ou*d  be  fpartd  ;  apd 
in  the  genera!,  thxt  it  ws«  necefliry  that  mc  fJiouM  have  an  hifiotf 
otG.>d'8  church  tiil  fuch  titnr j  i»»  »rc  wirhin  the  re ach  of  htman 
hirtor'Cf  ;  and  it  was  of  vail  iirporlsncc  that  wc  jO^ould  hivc  st] 
ini'pircd  hif^ory  of  thofc  times  oi  the  jcwifb  cf^urch,  wherein  there 
Vf:i.i  kept  up  a  mart  ertraordinjtry  intctcourft  between  God  and 
:hcafi,  and  while  he  ufcd  to  c\wc}\  aracnp:  them  ss  it  were  visibly, 
revealing  himfclf  by  the  Shcchina,  by  Ufim  ar.d  Thuorstnim,  and 
by  prophecy,  and  (o  tnorc  imtctdiatcly  to  oidcr  their  h.ff?Ar9,  And 
it  was  ncceilary  tha:  wc  l];ou!d  have  fouie  account  of  the  prcal  dif" 
pcafations  of  God  ia  prophecy,  which  were  to  be  sfter  the  ficifbing 
of  infp'red  hif»ory  ;  sjifS  fo  it  was  exceeding  fuiubJe  snd  needful 
thai  there  ft^ould  be  a  r.umbcr  of  prophets  rai;c'i  who  fl^ould  forcicl 
ibt  coming  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  aature  and  glory  of  hit 
kingdom,  to  be  as  fo  many  harbingers  to  make  way  for  him,  and 
that  their  prophccits  fhouid  remain  in  the  church. 

It  vr29  zHo  a  matter  of  great  corJcqasnce  th?.t  the  church  fViouId 
havt  a  book  of  divine  fongs  fitca  by  irsfpiriuon  frouiGo4l,\rhercia 
there  iho'jld  be  s  lively  r?:pr«reiuauon  of  the  true  I'ptrit  of  devoti- 
on, of  faith,  hope,  sad  divine  iove,  joy,  rtfig  nation,  humiiity, 
cbcdisnce,  rcperxtance,  fcc,  and  alfo  tost  we  fh«uld  have  frooaGocI, 
fjch  books  oi  moral  ioftrutUoas  as  we  have  in  Proverb*  3rd  EccU', 
fiiOcB,  relating  to  the  sfFiirs  asd  ftslc  of  tR2jiiind,  and  llic  coti- 
ccrns  cf  human  life,  containing  rules  of  true  v/ifdom  and  pru- 
dence for  our  conduA  in  all  circumftanccs  ;  and  thst  wc  fhouid 
have  particuhrly  a  foDg  rtprefeniirg  the  grcii  love  between  Chi  ill 
ani  his  fpoufe  the  chur*h,particubrly  adspjcd  to  the  iljfpcfidon  and 
holy  iff:tlions  of  a  true  Chriftian  foul  towards  Cbrift,  and  rcpr«- 
feniing  his  grace  and  marvellous  l.vc  to,  and  delight  in,  his  peo« 
pic  ;  ai  we  have  in  Soloooou's  Soi?g  ;  and  efpcciaUy  that  wc  fhouid 
have  2  book;  to  tcscb  us  how  to  conduft  ourfclves  under  ^ftii(f^ion, 
feeirg  tfec  church  ofGodherc  is  in  a  niil!t5nr  natc,  snd  Gad's  peo- 
ple doth^.-^ugh  much  !;ibuhiioi«ntcr  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ; 
and  the  churai  >$  for  fo  long  a  time  uader  trcubic,  and  ractts  with 
fuch  cxcscding  f:ry  trials,  and  extreme  futrcring",  before  her  tioi* 
cf  peace  and  rci't  in  the  laltci  yges  of  the  world  I'hail  ccmc  ;  there- 
fore G0..I  has  giv<in  us  a  book  mcPs  proper  in  xhs^c  circumfiances, 
«ven  the  book  o£  Job,  writlen  ipon  or.ciiion  of  the  ?itIi(^iorj»  of  a 
partlr-vvr  faint,  and  was  probably  at  (irtl  given  to  the  church  fti. 
Egypt  under  her  afRidtfoni  ihcfc  ;  ynd  is  madeufc  of  by  the  Apof- 
lie  to  comfort  Chj  I:r:>.4a  under  pcrfccutioi-n,  Jimci  v.  11,  *•  Ve 
l^ave  heard  of  the  patieriCS  of  Job,  zrA  have  fccn  the  end  of  ths 
Lord  ;  that  the  Lord  is  very  pitiful,  and  of  rt^dcr  mercy."  GofJ 
w;j8  alio  pleafed,  in  this  bo;>k  cf  Job,  to  give  fomc  view  of  the  an* 
«icot  divinity  before  the  giving  of  the  Uwa  Xbttfa 


if|4  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

Tbu^,  front  tlili  brief  review,  I  think  it  sppcarj,  that  everv  pat* 
•f  tht  fcrtptMrcf  of  the  Old  Ttft^tmcnt  is  rery  ufcful  urA  jxcccffdry. 
Mid  no  f4Tt  of  it  cm  be  fparcd,  without  lots  to  the  church.  A  d 
therefore,  ii  I  faid,  the  wifdom  of  Goii  U  conrpicuous  in  ordcrirg 
that  the  fcripmrca  of  ibe Old  TclUaical  Ijaould  coDfiit  of  ibofc  vc.y 
books  of  which  they  do  confill. 

Before  I  difmifs  fihh  particular,  I  would  adi.  that  it  ii  very  cb* 
fcrvcabic,  that  the  hiftory  of  the  Old  Ttftamcni  it  large  and  p»r» 
ticufar  where  the  gre-«  ^ffnir  of  rcdtsnpsicn  rtquircJ  it  ;  ai  v»herc 
there  ^«  moft  done  towardi  tliit  work,  and  moft  to  typify  Cr-iift, 
and  to  prepare  the  way  for  him,  TiiUi  it  ih  very  Utgc  ar»d  pa»tl« 
fular  in  th*  hiftory  of  Abraham  and  the  oikcr  pstriaichs  ;  but  ve- 
ry ihort  iQ  the  ascouat  we  have  of  the  tiase  which  the  ehildren  of 
Ifracl  fpent  in  Egypt.  So  again  it  i%  lasgc  in  the  sec  unt  of  tha 
f  cdempiJon  out  of  Kgypt,  and  thefirfl  fctJing  of  the  iff^iri  of  ihc 
J^wiih  church  ani  nation  in  Mofcs  and  J.fhua'i  time  ;  but  much 
fls^rter  in  the  aecount  of  the  times  of  the  judges.  S  j  ag^in,  it  i| 
large  and  pariicuhr  in  the  account  of  David's  and  Solcmon's  tionei^ 
tod  then  very  fborl  in  the  hiAory  of  ibc  cnfuir.g  reigns.  Thus  tb« 
accounts  are  Urge  or  (horl,  jaft  as  ther^  is  more  or  lefs  of  the  af- 
fair of  redemption  to  be  Ucn  in  them. 

V.  From  wttai  hai  bsea  faid,  we  artiy  feCj  that  Chrlfi  and  hit 
redemption  arc  the  great  fubj  .d  of  the  whole  Bible.  Conctrning 
the  N.w.Tcfiamen!,  the  maitei  is  plain  ;  and  by  what  hJia  beea 
faid  on  this  futj;!6t  hitherto,  it  appears  tp  be  fj  aifo  with  refped  to 
the  Old  Tcftamcnt,  Chrift  and  his  rcdtmpdon  is  theg.eai  futjc<^ 
<)f  the  p  ophccics  of  the  Old  T»ftament,  as  has  been  ifeown.  It  haf 
alfo  been  &own,  tkat  he  is  the  grcai  fubj  &  of  the  fongs  of  the  04 
TeAiment ;  and  the  mora!  rules  and  prcc4p  a  are  all  given  ^n  iub« 
ordination  lohim,  AndChiiftand  his  re  ctcption  are  alfo  tht 
great  fcbj  (^  of  the  hiftory  of  the  Old  Icrt^mcnt  Irom  the  begin- 
ning allalong  ;  and  even  thehiRory  of  the  creitioo  is  brought  ir| 
as  an  introdudion  to  the  hiAory  of  redemption  that  imoicjia.cly 
foSiows  it^  The  whole  bock,  both  Od  reiUmeni  and  New,  is 
fi'ed  up  with  ihcgofpd  ;  only  with  this  difference,  that  the  01<f 
Tcftament  coQCains  the  gofpel  under  a  vail,  Dvit  thcNrw  contains  it 
unvailed,  fo  that  we  may  fee  the  gtory  of  the  Lord  with  open  face. 

VI.  By  whst  has  been  faid,  we  may  fee  the  ufcfuloef*  and  tx» 
teMenc}  of  the  0*d  Tcftameol.  Sjme  arc  ready  to  look  on  th« 
OiJ  TeAament  as  being  as  it  were  out  of  date,  and  ai  if  wc 
in  thefe  d^ya  of  the  gofpel  have  but  little  to  do  with  it  ; 
which  is  a  vey  great  miTtakc,  arifing  from  want  of  obfcrving  tht 
nature  and  f^tfign  of  the  Old  Teft?ment, which,  if  it  were  obfcrve«% 
would  appe?.r  full  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  and  would  in  an  c»ce|« 
leal  ma&aer  iiibitr&;c  aaci  coafun  the  gloiioui  dcdriou  and  piQ^ 

miici 


\U  Work  of  H  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  t}f 

aisfcs  of  she  Nrvy  T.f^amcnt.  Thofc  p»rti  of  the  0!d  TeflimcaC 
which  arc  commonly  looked  upon  as  conJaining  ihc  Icaft  divine  in« 
Urutlion,  ate  at  it  urcrc  minci  and  trcafures  of  gofpcl  knowledge  | 
•nd  the  rcafon  why  ihcy  arc  thought  to  contain  fo  Hillt  it,  bccaufe 
pcifons  do  but  fu($erii:i^iiy  read  them.  The  trcafurei  which  ar« 
hid  underneath  dre  not  obfeivcd.  They  only  look  on  the  top  of 
the  ground,  and  fo  fuddenly  pafi  a  judgement  that  there  if  nothinf^ 
there.  Bat  they  never  dig  into  the  mi&e  r  if  they  did,  they  wouI4 
find  it  richly  f^ored  with  fiiver  and  gold,  and  would  be  abvmdtallf 
rcq  litcd  for  their  p:)ins. 

WQ4t  h«i  been  fiid,  miy  fiaovr  ut  what  a  preciotu  tieafurc  6odf 
hn  comnitted  into  our  hands,  in  that  he  hai  given  us  the  Biblc« 
Hjw  little  do  mof^  perfons  confider,  how  much  they  trjoy,  in  thai 
they  hive  the  pafr^iftja  of  that  holy  book  tht  Bible,  which  the^ 
have  in  their  handi,  and  may  converfe  with  it  ai  they  pleafe.  What 
tn  excellent  book  ii  this, and  how  far  exceeding  allhunan  writings, 
that  reireats  G  jd  to  ui,  and  gives  ui  a  view  of  the  grand  defign  an4 
glorious  feheine  of  providence  from  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
either  in  hiftory  or  prophecy  j  that  reveals  the  great  Redeenacr  and 
liis  glirious  redemption, and  the  various  Aepi by  which  God  ac« 
•omp'idies  it  from  the  Hrft  foundatioa  to  tht  top-()one  I  Shall 
we  pr't '  an  hii^ory  which  gives  us  a  clear  account  of  fome  grtal 
earthly  princr,  or  mighty  warrof,  as  of  Alexander  the  Great,  o§ 
Jjlius  Caf^r,  o*-  the  Djke  of  Marlborough?  and  (hall  we  rot  priie 
the  hiAory  tha:G  )d  gives  us  of  the  glorious  kingdom  of  his  Soa 
J:;fus  Chrift,  the  P.ince  and  Saviour,  and  of  tht  wars  and  other 
great  tranfadions  of  that  K«ng  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  armies,  the 
Lord  mighty  in  battle  ?  the  hiftory  of  the  things  which  he  bat 
Wrought  for  the  redemption  of  his  chofen  people  ; 

VII.  Wh»thas  been  faid,  may  make  us  fcnfiblc  howamcfa  mof^ 
l^eifons  are  to  blame  for  their  inattentive,  unobfervaat  way  of 
reiding  (he  fcriptures.  H >>v  much  do  the  fcriptures  contain,  if 
It  were  but  obferved  ?  The  B  ble  is  the  mof^  comprebenfivt  book 
in  the  world.  But  what  will  all  this  (ignify  to  us,  if  we  read  it 
without  obfcrving  what  Is  the  drift  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  it  >  Th€ 
PfalmiA.  Pfal.  cxix.  i8.  begs  of  God,  "  That  he  would  enlighten 
his  eyes  that  he  might  behold  wor.drous  things  out  of  his  law'* 
The  fcriptures  are  full  of  wondrous  things.  Thofe  biftorles  whiek 
are  coirmonly  read  as  if  they  were  only  hiftories  of  the  private 
concerns  cf  fuch  and  fuch  particular  perfons,  fuch  as  the  hif^o.iet 
•f  Abraham.  Ifaac,  and  J^cob,  and  Jofeph,  and  the  hiftory  of 
Kuth,  and  th<;  hiftories  of  particular  lawgivers  and  princes,  as  the 
tiflory  of  Jofhua  and  the  Judges,  and  David,  and  the  Ifraelitift 
princes,  are  accounts  of  vaTtly  g-eatcr  things,  things  of  greater  in* 
ynrtance,  and  more  extcnfive  concernacQtj  thaa  thtj  that  read 
%Mi  Me  coou&ooly  aw4ie  qL  Tkt 


13§  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   of 

T.'ic  hti^ories  of  fcripiure  arc  commonly  read  aa  if  iL-xy^cfc  Ho- 
ricf  wriiten  only  lo  cnttirtaiii  mcn»  iauati,  ^hd  io  while  away 
their  Icifuie  houci,  when  tiic  infiGioit^Jy  gtc-i  iuUjp:*  comaiotd  cs 
p:>iitcj  It  ia  them  i.-c  pjlfcd  over  and  ncvrrt^kKci  noli*;*  of,  VVaai- 
«ver  tr««fuj«8ri* /€fipiur«*  conuin,  live  ilji.il  l<  ntvcr  the  btticr 
for  ihcrn  if  wc  Co  not  ohfcrvc  ihcm.  He  thai  b*i  a  Bible,  iia4 
4oc»  not  obCcive  what  h  cootaincd  i^i  it»  is  iik:  ^  us&n  who  h&s  <» 
box  fuH  of  lilvcr  and  gold,  aiiu  docs  r.-ci  know  ir,  uccs  lioi  otf<i;ify« 
that  it  ii  my  thing  xnorc  ihau  a  vclTcl  filled  wiih  cooimoa  Acnicsi; 
A»  long  as  i«  ii  lhu»  vciih  hiaa,  h«  will  be  never  ihc  b-;i:cr  lor  hii 
frcjfurc  :  for  he  th^t  kno«r$  n^s  thai  he  hai  a  trcifurc,  will  never 
nukeufc  of  what  h«  has,  and  Ki  mi^hi  as  well  be  without  it.  Us 
>vho  has  a  plenty  of  the  choicci'^  food  J^ofcd  up  la  iii»  houfe,  hiA 
does  not  kaow  it,  wiil  never  isAc  what  h«  has,  &ud  vrill  b«  as  «Ik«< 
ly  to  liarve  as  if  hii  houfe  wcr«  cmp'^y. 

Vlilv  VVhat  has  bftcn  fa  id,  may  ihoW  us  kow  grcs:  a  pcrfest 
Jcfus  Chrift  is,  and  how  great  an  errand  he  came  into  the  wo; Id 
upon,  feeing  there  was  fo  much  done  to  prepare  ihc  way  for  his 
loaning.  God  had  been  d«ing  nothing  clfc  but  prepare  th<i  way  fci 
his  comings  zn  J  doing  the  work  which  ce  had  to  do  in  the  world* 
thro'  ail  ag€S  of  the  world  from  the  very  beginning.  If  we  bad  notiet 
«f  a  tertaini^ranger's  being  about  to  cocnc  into  a  country,  anil 
/hould  cbffirvc  ihat  a  great  preparation  wss  inadc  for  his  comings 
ihat  many  months  were  taken  up  it  it,  and  great  things  wcrcdoncjj 
many  great  alterations  were  mads  in  the  fute  of  the  whole  coua- 
Mryt  a^d  thsi  miay  bands  were  employed,  and  pcrfons  of  grea^ 
aoic  vrarecng"g-d  in  making  preparation  for  theooming  cf  ibii 
pcifon,  and  the  whole  country  was  overturned,  and  all  the  if[ii.i 
and  concerns  ofihs  cojiitry  were  ordccd  fo  as  to  be  fubfcrvitnt  w 
the  design  of  entertaining  that  pcrfoii  whfin  he  fhould  come  ;  it 
wculj  be  naiurfei  for  us  to  ihink  with  ourfclves,  why,  furety,  tfiU 
perfoni*  f3me  extraordinary  pcrfoa  indeed,  and  i:  is  fomc  very 
©real  buf)'5cfs  thi^i  he  is  coming  upon^ 

H  >w  grsata  perfoa  thea  muft  he  be,  lor  whofc  cOstinj  Jnt»  ih^ 
wotld  the  great  Gj.\  of  heaven  afii  earth, and  governor  of  all  things, 
fpinl  four  ihoyf*(.d  y«^rs  in  preparing  the  way,  going  about  it 
foon  after  the  world  wai  created,  and  from  age  to  age  doing  great 
things,  bringing  toighty  events  to  pafs,  accomplifhing  wonderi 
wUhout  nunrtbcr,  often  overtufniug  ibc  world  in  order  to  it,  ciufmg 
every  thingin  the  finu  of  mankind, and  all  revolutions  and  change! 
in  the  lubitible  worlcj  from  «<iieratio«  to  geaeration  Id  be  fukfer- 
vient  to  this  f  real  dcfigr.  >  Surely  ibis  muft  be  f<jmc  great  and  ex- 
traordipa'y  pei  foa  indeed,  acd  a  gi^at  VOifc  igdtcd  it  ffivi>  ntudi 
\U  tha  he  if  QQs^iag  nbom. 


tbe  Work  o!   k  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  J^.  t  j; 

W«  r«id,  Matth  xti.  8.  9. 10.  ibst  whenChrlft  wa»  coamjr  i»td 
jerufaUoi,  ind  the  iftulticudri  r«n  before  htoi^sncl  cut  dowa  hrar.chfS 
of  p\\aa  -trees  anJ  Areircd  then  In  the  wiy,  and  others  fpread  iheir 
gsrtocnti  iQ  ihc  waj'.  and  errcd/'Hof?r1na  to  the  fon  of  Divid''  tl.tt 
the  wfdk  city  «m  «fco¥cd,  faying,  VKbo  i«  ihii  ?  They  wo»dered 
^ho  that  extrtcdinary  ^trfon  ikould  be,  that  there  fh ould  be  fwch  an 
ado  made  on  cccafTon  of  hit  comlog  into  the  city,  tikd  to  prepare  iht 
way  before  bin.  l^Mt  if  wk  c^nfittr  what  bjti  been  faid  on  thii  ful  jc(^o 
what  great  ihiiigi  wz»  done  it  all  agei  to  priepire  the  way  foiCbriA'* 
cominf  iatc  the  W«rld,  aad  how  the  world  was  often  oYtrtarncd  to 
make  way  for  it,  aauch  ikort  »*y  wc  cry  out.  Who  i*  thii  }  What 
freat  perfoo  ii  this  ?  and  fay,  aiinPfal.  xxiv.  I.  10.  "  Who  h  thtfe 
iLiag  of  {lory, "  thatG(»d  diotfld  ftow  frich  refpiO,  and  put  fv<h  yi,^ 
hottonf  upoa  hioi  ^  Suftly  this  jMrfaa  it  honourable  indeed  inGod'a 
«yct,  and  greatly  beloved  o(  hiai  ;  and  furcly  it  is  1  great  errsn(fl 
upon  which  he  11  feat  into  the  world, 

PERIOD         It. 

HA  V I  N  3  IVown  how  the  work  of  redcaaptioa  wsi  ttrriedf 
on  through  the  firft  ptriod^from  the  fait  of  lEtin  to  the  iccar- 
SiBfioB  of  CbriA,  1  coaie  aow  to  the  feeond  period,  viz,  tbe  tiai« 
of  Chrit'i  huaiiliation,  or  the  fpaeefroBi  the  incaraatio»  cfChriil 
&«  therefurrc^^ian,  Ithli  11  the  rio^  reiaarkable  article  of  tine 
that  ever  wai,  or  ever  will  bt.  Th©  it  wai  b«t  between  30  and  d.o 
yearl,  yet  more  waa  doot  ia  It  tbtn  had  been  doae  from  the  be- 
ginning of  the  world  to  that  tia::e,  Wt  hart  obfcrTcd,  that  alf 
that  had  been  done  frorii  tbt  fall  to  the  iccirBatioB  of  Ckrift,  w«i» 
only  preparatory  for  what  wai  dose  aoW.  It  aiay  aUo  be  olBferv-- 
ed,  tbit  all  that  Wat  doae  before  iht  beginning  of  time,  in  the  etef* 
nal  coueciltof  God,  and  that  eternal  tranfadion  there  waabetwcett 
the  perfoni  of  the  Trinity,  chitty  re'^pefted  this  period.  Wc 
therefore  now  proceed  to  confider  theftcen^  protcfidok,  n'lz. 

That  rikiriog  ibc  li«e  of  ChriA'f  huaiilfaiioa,  froa  hit  incarna- 
tioa  to  hit  refurrc^ioa,  the  parchafc  of  redadsptioa  wat  made. 

Though  there  were  ai^ay  thing*  done  in  the  affair  of  redemptiota 
from  the  fall  of  ir.an  to  lhi»  time,  though  millions  of  ficriHees  aa(S 
been  offered  up  ;  yet  nothing  was  done  to  purchafc  redcciption  be- 
fore ChfiA'i  inCarnatioD  :  n*  part  oi  tbe  purchafe  was  (ra(^e,  n^ 
l?irt  of  the  price  was  off:rcd  till  now.  But  asfoon  as  Ckrift  was 
ine»raate,iheR  tbe  purcbaCe  began  immediately  without  any  delay. 
And  the  whoW  tiaic  of  Ckrifl's  humiliation,  from  the  morning  fijt 
Chri^  begjtn  to  be  incaruale,  till  the  morning  that  hs  arofe  froia 
the  dead,  was  takea  up  in  this  purchafe.  And  then  rhc  purchalC 
was  entirely  and  coaapleatly  finiftied.  Ai  nothirg  was  done  Ufore 
Qbrift*  iacarnaiioa,  fp  noihiag  wai  dene  tficr  his  refurreflfon,  \m 

H  purchafC;, 


83«  A   H  1  S  T  O  K  Y    cl 

pur^hifc  rcdtoflptioa  for  bcd.  Njr  will  there  ever  be  any  tking 
more  done  to  aU  eternity.  But  that  very  time  thkt  the  buoian 
aaturc  of  Cbriil  ceafctl  to  remain  under  tkc  povrcr  of  detth,  rhc 
urmoft  faribing  waj  paid  «f  the  price  of  the  faWaiioa  of  ivf-ry  cnc 
ofthcelc<ft. 

But  for  the  more  orderly  aad  regular  eor.fijcration  of  the  great 
tYAngi  done  by  our  R«dcf oner  to  purchife  redemption  for  us, 

1,  I  «rou!d  fpeakof  Chfift's  bccoofiing  incirnatc  to  eapacitals 
himfelff^r  this  purchafc  ; — 2nd, 

2,  1  would  fp»ak  of  ihe  purchafe  itfslf. 

PART       i. 

FIRST,  I  would  coufidcr  Chrift'i  coming  into  the  w«rld,  o^' 
hii  takinj  upon  hfm  our  nature  to  put  hzaafcif  in  a  capacity 

to  purchafe  redcoiption  for  us.-^ — Cfcrifr.  became  incarnate, 

or,  which  is  the  fame  thing,  bccantc  man,  to  put  himfelf  in  a  ca- 
pacity for  working  out  our  redtrnption  :  for  tho¥gh  Chrift,  aiGod, 
\ra$  infinitely  fwfficient  for  the  work,  yet  to  hfi  bciaj  in  an  imr&c- 
elialc  capacity  for  it,  it  wss  needful  that  he  ftauld  sot  only  be  God 
but  man.  If  Chrif^  had  remained  only  in  the  divine  riature,  he 
would  not  have  been  in  a  capacity  to  hzvi  purchafcd  curfalvation  ; 
aot  from  any  iffipcrffiftion  of  the  divine  nature, but  by  rcafon  of  its 
.  abfolufec  and  infinite  pcrfedion  :  for  Chrift,  merely  as  God,  was 
not  cspabls  titlacr  of  that  obcd?eftCC  or  fuffcring  that  was  needful. 
Th«  divine  nature  is  not  capable  of  fttFcrlng  :  for  it  is  infinilcHy 
above  ailfuffsring.  Neither  is  itcap-ible  of  obedience  to  that  ]ivr 
that  wsi  given  to  wian.  It  is  as  impoiTibkikat  «ne  who  1$  only  God, 
ihoRid  obey  the  law  that  was  ^y«j^tp  n^tij  as  It  'a  that  h«  flicLfid 
ftlfdr  aim's  puriHhracnl.  ,. 

It  was  ccccJlary  not  «a*y  shat  Chrift  fkouli  tabs  upon  him  a 
treated  nature,  but  thai  he  /iioald  tak«  upon  feijn  our  fiamrf,  I» 
would  act  Rive  fufiiccd  for  us  for  Cbrifl  to  have  became  xa  arg*!, 
znd  to  have  obeye^i  and  fuffcrt d  in  the  zTn^tVic  gature.  Beat  it  w«j 
iec«ffiry  that  he  fhouldbecocRt  a  man,  anti  thatupc^  tbrte  acc<fUBij!«, 

I.  It  Wit  needful  to  anf-wer  the  Uw,  that  that  naturtjhuuld 
»hey  th*  Uw,  it  wki'eh  the  Uiv  ruat  givTti.  Ma»'s  law  Cdidd  not !>* 
aifwered,  but  by  bclsg  obeyed  by  asai.  God  ialif^e^  upon  I?, 
Ihat  iht  law  which  he  ba-l  given  to  nan  fho«!«!  be  honoured  anci 
fuboftiltcd  i«,  and  fulfilled  by  the  nature  »f  ma« ^  otberwifc  the  la\f 
•ould  not  be  anfwcred  for  men.  The  wcrds  that  were  fpokcn,Thoa 
tiAi  not  eat  thereof.  Thou  fk^ilt;  or  Thou  fhalt  not  do  thus  or  thus, 
were  fpoken  to  the  race  of  mankind,  to  the  huinan  nature  ;  and 
therefore  the  ht'oiaa  nature  auf%  fulfil  tkcm* 

J,     It  ^»*«i  nie^nl  t§  anfvar  tkt  Uiv  thtt  lie  n$tiirt  thatfrnnid 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  139 

JfiouU  dfe,  Thefe  wcrdi,  *' Thou  IhjU  fcrtly  die,"  rtfpc^  the 
husnaa  satcrc^  the  fzmc  nature  to  trhicb  the  command  w  ;ii  givcn^ 
nrai  the  nature  t^  vrhich  xht  threatcuirg  w%s  direi^cd. 

3.  Godfu-wiHsttfikai  tht  fame  -world  which  ruat  tkf  fiage  cf 
man';  fall  And  ruin,  Jhould  alfj  bt  thifisge  of  kit  rcdanplion.  Wg 
rsid  ohca  oJ  his  coming  iato  ihe  world  lu  favc  fin5icif,^:n  Vo*  Gcd'g 
fending  him  into  the  worli  for  this  pui  j;r.fe.  It  vvi»  needful  that  he 
Ih^uU  come  into  this  finful,  njif:::iiblc  ur.dcnc  wor^d,  to  fcrtore  and 
favc  it.  In  order  lo  man's  rceoyery  it  was  necdCuI  thst  tc  (hould 
coaic  down  to  naaa,  to  iUc  world  thsi  was  ruin's  proper  habrtiiion, 
and  that  he  rtiouid  labern^^clc  v/ith  uj  :  John  i.  14,  "  The  Word 
waa  nj^de  fl.fh,  and  dwelt  ampng  us." 

Concern  I KO  the  incaroatica  cf  Chrlfl,  1  would  obfcrvo 
thefe  follpwing  things, 

I.  ^Thc  iocarratioa  itfplf ;  IiMvhich  cfpechlly  two  things  are 
to  be  confijertd,  vi?., 

1.  His  conceptioa,  which  W2?  in  i!)e  \Tomb  of  one  of  the  racej 
©''minicind,  whcreb;j-  he  bceaoae  iru-y  ihe  %on  of  nPiin,  as  h«  was 
oi'ien  called.  Yi^  wag  one  of  the  poP.crity  of  Adam,  and  a  child 
«i^  AJiabarB,  and  a  fon  of  D.vid  according  to  Q:)d,'%  prcs^ife- 
But  hi*  conception  wa«  npt  in  the  way  efordbary  gwcraiitn,  bwi 
by  thepstrerof  tht  Holy  Ghoi^. .  .ChriA^waj  fcrcacd  in  the  womU 
of  the  Virgil,  of  the  fubhaecc  of  her  body,  by  the  pcvycr  ef  the 
Spirit  of  God,  fa  thai  he  vr?,s  .he  imihiiiate  foa  of  ih'i  wam-a, 
but  not  the  immediat'-*  fon  of  any  male  whatfccver;  and  fowas  the 
feed  of  liic  wogian,  and  the  (on  of  a  Virgin,  ©n«i  th«t  hai  never 
koown  man.      .••<., 

2.  His  binn.--^-—^— Though  the  conception  of  Chrlft  wsf 
faptrnatural,  yet  afier  he  was  conceived,  snc^  fo  the  incarnation  cf 
Cbfiff  b£gua,bis  huffiau  nature  was  gradvialfy  p^rfc^fitd  in  the  woir.b 
cfthc  virgin,  ia  a  way  of  natural  prog^cf:  i  scd  f.)his  birth  wa«  In 
a  way  of  nature  But  hi*  conception  being  fuperri.itural,by  the  poacr 
of  the  H^'y  Q-oft,  he  was  bath  conc?iv.;.i  and  h.>r*  rrhh^-J'-  ^i  "•• 

II.  The  fceord  thing  I  would  obfcrv?  ccncerning  the  incarnR- 
tioa  of  Chrift,  is  the  futaefs  of  the  time  in  which  n  vys?  acGEpIlfh- 
ed.  It  was  after  things  had  bren  picpari-;;^  for  il  from  the  very 
Inrfl  fall  of  mankind,  and  when  all  ihi  ^,g».  v.zrc  '.Cvdy  h  Cdmc  t^ 
pafj  at  a  time,  which  in  ir^finie  wifc^om  war-  ikeoaoil  fit  and  pros- 
per :  Gal.  iv.  4.  *'  But  when  the  fulncfs  of  time  w^&,  coff.^,  Goi 
fent  forih  his  Son,  Kade  of  a  woraaa,  m^dc  under  the  law." 

It  was  now  the  moft  prcpw  v.m.yc  on  every  Recount.  Any  tirrc 
before  the  flood  would  net  h^ivc  been  fo  tit  a  time.  Fcr  then  ihc 
nijfchiaf  and  ruin  that  the  f^ili  b-cught  on  Rurkind,  wis  xpt  fp 
fUIy  feen.  The  cirfc  did  not  f  j  ttily  cumi  on  :he  canh  befo'f 
thf  ^aod,  as  it  dill  afterwaitj  :  for  ilci-gli  the  gr««^.d  vi3  cur^ci 


U»  A    H  I  S  T  Q  R  Y  of 

in  H.  grcai  tncafurc  b«fcre,  y«t  it  picafcd  God  ithat  lb«  curfe  IfliouM 
oijc*,  before  she  rcftoratlon  b.y  Ciiitft,  be cxccittd  \n  an  (iniverfai 
«icftru4ijn,  as  ft  yim^,  oi  th*  v74*fy  htm  of  tHc  carih,  thai  the  dire 
ei(2Cts  cf  the  {^.\l  «*Jii;hf  onee  in  fuch  a  Wc?y  be  fien  before  the  rc- 
cavery  by  Cnrra.  Thoujh  mankind  were  morul  befordt  the  floods 
yer  their  llvws  vrcrs  ihc  greater  part  of  a  thoufand  ycsis  in  length, 
a  kind  i>f  irftiaortality  in  ttoaopiiriroa  witri  what  the  J.i?e  of  bbsr 
h  no*,  h  plt.fcd  Gvvd,  thu  ihit  curfs,  *•  pafl  thou  ait,  and  unt© 
daft  ih-u  iisJi  rtturo,"  ihculd  have  its  full  acccmpliftirocnt,  and  hs 
txecut^i  m  ijs  gftalclt  degree  on  mankind.,  bef6y«  the  KcJccmc]? 
catnc  ti>  pjrch:»fc  a  never- ending  life  for  laan, 

Ii  would  nor  hi.u'c  b^etn  T*  fit  *  ttine  ioc  Chri.*^  toccige,  after  the 
^fiood,  before  Mjfr.s'*  tim-  ^  for  iUl  th«a  manl^ifitl  vrcre  cot  fo  uai- 
'»tSff.Jiy  apon^.(i:'J  flora  Ihc  true  God;  tlcy  were  not  iiiilcn  unf- 
vcrUJiy  ir.toHcAJhcnih  datknaU  j  and  i'o  t^c  Lccd  of  Chrift,  the 
light  of  the  vroili,  Wit  noi  fo  evident  :  and  the  wofvjl  cofiftqu*?!fccc 
of  4tic  *^ll  wUh  ftfpcCt  ;o  min'j  tnortJiiiiy,  #^s  not  fo  fully  fnani". 
^eft  tiii  xr.e.i  ;  for  mi^'i  IIU  wa  %ox  io  thoBmed  ai  to  bs  reduce^ 
80  ice  picfcol  ft;ifidj!rd  liU  about  Moft§*t  tiafte. 

U  WAS  SBOlt  fii  that  ?he  time  of  ih*?  Mcffiiih'j  Coming  i2i  .uld  no? 
be  t;Ji  •jT.iny  age*  after  Muf«»*»  time  ;  tfli  all  nit«on$,  but  rhs  chil- 
dren ot  ffr^jjl,  had  Uin  foaj  in  Hcxtheaiih  d^rkccfs  ;  that  ihc  re- 
aajrdikffiitfi  of  their  difcafemi^ht  by  long  cxpeiiencebc  fern,  and 
f.  the  rtbf  j.luit  fc^ccTity  of  the  hcuvcnly  phyfician,  lefouc  he  came. 

Another  reafon  ^thy  Gferii"^  did  not  cosnc  faon  after  the  $ocd  pro- 
bably yn%,  thit  the  car ih  oji^t  be  full  of  people,  ths?  Chrift  mtghx 
hive  the  ajjr«  cKicafive  kingdom,  and  that  th*  cff^di  of  his  light, 
and  po*»cr,  ksd  grace,  m!ght  bt  gloii<^cd,  and  that  hii  ▼i<ft  ay 
C'^'Q:  S/ii^iitftijjhi  be  at:cndtd  with  the  more  glory  in  the  multitude 
oi  his  conquest,  it  was  aifo  needful  that  ihe  coming  of  ChriTs 
ib.u'd  be  CQiny  agei  ifttr  Mjfei,  thai  the  church  wight  be  prepar- 
ed which  wdf  fo>msd  by  Mofei  for  hii  ccaaing,  by  the  Meffi^h'i 
btJtng  loRg-prcfi.;ufcd,  by  his  b«f»g  mary  wayi  foretold,  and  by 
bi»  b^^ing  io'ijj  cxpcftcd.  It  wai  not  proper  that  Chrift  fhould 
cocac  bef.Tctbe  Bdbylonifh  captivity,  bccaufc  Saian'i  kingdom 
was  not  thea  come  to  ih«  height.  The  Heathen  wcrld  before  fha$ 
confiiid  otleffcr  kingdoms.  But  God  few  nastt  that  the  iVlcfruh 
^.^uid  coona  in  the  time  of  one  of  the  four  great  monarchic  of  the 
world.  Nor  was  it  proper  that  he  fboijld  come  in  the  time  of  the 
BabylorJfh  monarchy  ;  for  it  wai  God's  will,  that  feveral  general 
inonarchies  flmould  follo^y  one  another,  and  that  the  coming  of  the 
M.fiTnh  (hould  be  in  the  time  of  the  laft,  which  appeared  above 
thiix.  all.  T-iZ  Pr^ffian  monarchy,  by  overcoming  the  Bi.b3lcrij.tj, 
appeared  above  itx^nd  fo  iheGrccian,  by  ovcrcomirg  the  Pofiati," 
«^i.:i.fe4  ab^n  that  :  avi  foi  th?  fame  xoafQpi  the  Kon^an  abcvs^ 


ih«  W*>jk  of  R  K  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  ?^.  i^i 

the  Gr«scian.  Novr  it  was  th«  wiH  ot  God,  ihathii  Son  lliouid 
makehij  spj>cajancc  in  ibc  world  in  the  lime  of  lb\i  jycat- ii  and 
ftrongcit  ttiuintcbj',  whicij  wa»  S.itaa's  vifibic  kiiig^dGai  in  the 
world  9  thal»  by  overcoming  this,  he  migh:  vilibly  cvcrconnc  Si- 
fan's  kingdom  ia  it«  grcatftfi  I'trcngth  and  giory,  and  fo  cb'arjj  th« 
more  co«3p!ctc  triuicpl;  ove;  Ssun  hitufdf. 

It  was  net  proper  that  Chriil  (h  uJd  cjtpf.  before  the  Bsbyloijiia 
fapuvity.  Vor^  hiforc  thit,  we  h*v«  no^  lu/toric*  of  the  iuie  o» 
the  Hcatbca  iroila,  to  gjive  us  an  idea  of  the  need  ol  a  favjour. 
^nd  bcfides,  before  ih-i,  koriiing  did  not  much  tJouiiDi,  ani  fp 
*therc  had  not  been  an  opportunity  to  Oiow  iL«  infulnclcncy  of  hu- 
mafi  lesrning  and  wifiom  co  reform  and  fave  uiwjikJn.-i.  AgRi'ii, 
before  that,  the  Jtv^'fl  wert  not  difpc»fc<i  oyer  the  worl-d.,  as  ih<:y 
were  afterwards  ;  and  fo  things  were  nut  prepared  in  this  icfpetft 
for  the  comini'  of  Chrift.  The  nesc(Hty  of  abolishing  the  Jewiiij 
difpenfation  wai  net  tnen  fo  ^pparcr.l  ?s  it  wa»  afterwards,  by  rca- 
fon  of  the  d ifptr fon  of  ih?  Jc'**  ;  nciikcr  wai  the  way  prepared 
for  the  prop  tg^tion  of  the  gofp-1,  as  it  was  aficr^'srds^  by  the  fame 
difpcrfion.  M^ny  other  things  alight  be  mentioned,  by-  which  h 
would  appear,  that  no  other  ti(9«:  before  Lhat  vary  time  in  which 
Cbrif:  did  ccaic,  would  have  been  proper  for  his  appearing  in  tht 
world  to  purchf  fc  the  redemption  of  men . 

ill.  The  next  thi'';!g  that  I  wc'iid  ohftrvs  coDC«rring  tha  incar- 
nation ol  ChrifT,  's  the  grcawtffs  of  this  event,  Chrin's  inc^trnati. 
•n  W2sa  greater  and  nna«e  wonderful  thing  than  ever  had  conae  to 
pafs  ;  and  tiiere  has  b«:cn  but  one  that  has  ever  come  to  paf*  which 
was  grfcijter,  Xii  ihai  v/:i$  the  death  of  Chiif^, which  was  ?*ftcrward<. 
But  CbrA's  inetvnitioa  wa?  a  greater  ihing  ih\n  had  ever  come  ro, 
pafs  bsfare.  TV?  src<tioa  of  the  world  wa»  a  viry  great  thing, 
but  not  fo  j!reat  a  thing  mthc  iiicaraaiion  (*i  Cluif:.  It  W3«  a  great 
thing  foi  G  A  to  maki?  the  crea^ura,  but  not  ie  jgceat  as  iOr  God,  as 
for  lh«  creator  birafeU,  to  be«otac  a  creature.  Wt  have  fpoken 
of  many  £f«Ht  ^hir^s  JftEt  were  sccompliflaed  frosi  one  age  to  aao- 
thtr,  in  the  flgc*  b<:i.v?en  the  iAl  of  rx\un  and  ibit  incarnation  of 
Chrift  :  but  God's  beeon^ifig  n.rm  was  a  greater  thing  thaathey  all. 
When  Chrift  ^&3  born,  the  greateft  peifon  was  born  liiat  ever  was, 
or  ever  will  be  burn 

IV.  What  I  wouli  next  ohfcrrs  conwrnlng  tkc  incarnation  cf 
Chrift,  are  the  rcn3srk%blc  circuojf^anccs  of  it  ;  fuch  as  his  being 
born  of  a  poor  vir<2;in,  that  wa?  a  piouy  holy  pcrfon,  but  poor,  as 
sppeqrcd  by  her  oil:riag  at  her  purification  :  Luke  it.  24.  **  And 
to  oijfvr  a  facrifice  according  to  that  which  i*  fsid  in  the  law  of  the 
Lord,  a  pur  of  turtle  dovci,  or  two  ycun^  pigconJ."  Which  t«* 
Icrt  'o  *.'v.  V,  7.  '*  And  if  (t:;  be  not  able  to  bring  a  Isnnb,  thea 
$1;.  iiiili  idling  two  turiki,  or  two  vour-g  pigeoat."     And  this  poor 

vixgia 


•jhi  A    K  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

virgm  wascfpo^jfed  to  an  huibincS  wIjo  w;if  a  po»r  wan.  Thcu^h 
Ibey  were  both  cf  the  royal  family  of  Pivid,  the  iivafj  honourhble 
fam  iy,  and  J-l'cpb  vras  tas  rightful  bcir  to  the  ccwn  ;  yet  the  fa- 
wily  was  reduced  to  a  very  io«'  fl^tc  ;.v5'hich  is  ftprcferjis'j  by  [ha 
tabernsclc'of  D.-vii's  being  fiilea  or  brck^n  Cc\^t.^  Amos  iz.  ii. 
^*  In  that  day  w  ilf  I  raifc:  up  the  t«bcrrt2c)c;  cf  Dxivid  tjiat  is  fallen, 
and  clui'c:  tip  theb«cichcs  ihcr^cf,  and  1  wiliraifc  up|iis  rubf,  aa^ 
I  will  build  it  as  inihe.days  ©i  cl-i."  "        ^       ,      . 

H-  wa?  born  iri  the  lortii  of  B^^^Uchcai/  p.s  wss  foirctoJi  :  and 
there  was  a  vsry  r cai a| k^iblc  providence  of  Go d^|.c^  biir;g  sb-^ul  the 
fulfil nvzTii  of  t'iaii  l^^o'^ti^icy ^x\ip^  uxirg  c-f  all  the  AyQiid.by  Auguf. 
hu5  Cxdt,  as  la  Lul^^  ii.  He  waa.bjrii  ki  a  very  JoW  gondiiion, 
even  in  al^sblc,  tud  \uS  in  a  ra-n-r:  ."'*! 

V.   [  wGuId  ol^fcive  ihepon  5  ihls  gi'cat  cvcat,  or  the 

rco'.srkabie  cvtnts  wifh^wKich  it  -..^y  ...iccrtcd.— —  Ar;dl,. 
,  '  1 .-  The  Fi» ft  thIo|  1  wo-ili  ?,-,k€  notice  of  ibit  attetvJed  the  i.-i- 
■earaat'iorr'of  Chrii^;  -.yas  ih^-  r;:tiin>  of  iUe  %iV;/  j  whicih  indeed  bc- 
■ga;i  s  Itielc  lefofc  tiit  incarn^iion  cl  Cbiift  ;  but  yet  was  given  on 
Dccsfio:!  of  t|iot,  as  it  was  ^i  tcvesl  eltlie?  his  birth,  or  the  birth  of 
his  fGrc-rurjn«;r  }jhn  tht  Be.pti^.  fhave  b^nforc  obfervcd  how  the 
fpirit  of  prcphr;cy  ctiCcd  net  lonjj  khcr  rhe  book  of  MtUchi  was 
wri'.iiica,  ^\cLri  aboi^t  :':£  fr^mc  tlrnc  yitlont  and  in^uicuiaic  reve- 
laiioni  ccaftd  xUd.  8jt  r.b^r,  p:"J  this  occafi.>n,  ihcy  arc  grsBtci 
anew,  and  tl<^  Splrli  I35  thife  cp.tTri!ipn5  rcturv)»  ;/gsifl.  The  li.Tt  ir.- 
^anceqf  it«  i'£>l.ofiiion  thai  we  have  any  «"iccoun:  of  is  in  the  vifion 
of  Z'lcharl-is,  thi  faxhsr  »f  Jakn  thfi  B iptifl,  whish  we  read  cf  in 
¥hc  rft  ch^pTeV  v^f  Luke.  The  ncrt  is  rn  chc  rifi■c^i^.  which  th.-.Virgii 
Miry  hsd,  of  which  w<  rr^i.^  alfo  fh  fhe  fsmc  chspt^r.  The  third  is 
in.  the  viion  v^'hich  Jofeph  had,  cf  which  we  read  in  the  ift  Ghajnter 
of  M.'it^^.ev/,-  la  tbf  fftra  place,  the  ^pfrit  wss  given  to  Elifabcth, 
Luke  J.  4t.  K::xt,  it  fi&i  given  to  Mary,  at  ap;j<:Rrs  by  her  fong, 
L".kc  i.  46,  &*«.  Then  to  Zachariah  agsin,  ;if/i.  vtr.-  64  Then  it 
was  ftnt  to  the  fhcphcids,  of  which  wc  have  ^n  feccciirir  i-*:  Luke  it. 
9.  Thcu  it  wasgivcn  toSimconj  Luke  ii.  25.  Thca  loAnM,  vr.r.  j6.« 
Ttca  to  tfcc  wife  mien  in  ttt  6«(h  . Ti.cn  to  J  )feph  3giiin,  dircding 
hitn  to  ilec  into  Egyp^r  ^^^^  «f^c;-  that  directing  his  rtiura^ 

2,  The  next  coriCQcnitaat  of  Chri^/fi  incarnation  that  £  would 
ofeftrvf  U,  \\.t  (j'^«t  DOii^e  ihst  w»s  tskcr\  cf  it  in  heaver,  and  ca 
earth.  Hjw  11  wi?  roticcd  by  the  gloriow.  irihabitantJ  of  tht  hes- 
vtniy  TTorld,  appear?  by  their  joyful  fongs  o»  ihii  occjif.on,  hcsrd 
by  the  fh:?hcrd!>  in  ths  night.  This  wa*  the  grcaieA  cvzr.t  ©f  Prd,- 
videncc  that  ever  the  ingtU  h«?i  beheld.  Wc  read  of  their  ftngiog 
praifes  when  thev  f*w  the  forsnatioa  ®f  this  lower  world  :  Job 
xxxvIh.  7.  "  wnc.1  the  ra^raing-itars  fing  togelhtr,  and  a.11  the 
font  c'  Go-i  6K.'Jttd  for  jiy ,"  Arid  as  they  fsng  praifci  then,  fp 
they  d  >  »-o«y^  en  \.hh  nruch  ^re-^vcr  occalion,  of  the  birth  of  the 
$Qn  of  G-d,  ^71.0  it  Jic  c:Ciior  of  the  wcrld,  Thf. 


tnc 


Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  r.'.  143 


T)^c  g'o.  iou^  anjcU  had  'M  along  cspe(flccs  rhir  event  TKcy  h&d 
taken  grc .:  rxticc  of  <Jit  p'^phf-cits  «ny  prumii>i  u^  il'icfc  ihif.jj** 
a?!  alorg,  :  ?or  v/c  Arc  Jclr!,  'vl^.v  l.c  j.^gcl*  .kfu*  to  Icr.Jt  ir.io  the 
aifjifs  oJ'  f«(icfr.f.?ion,  1  fct.  3(2,  They  ha^i  a!t  nlo't^K  b^cn  thci 
inmift-.jsofChrii'^  in  thi.'  .  ff-«-  pf  rccica^piion.iftall  (he  <tv(:rd  fUfi 
of  it  dcvvn  frrm  i'r*  very  f^U  of  m>.r,.  i  .  wc  fc«d,  that  they  \*crc 
employed  in  God's  fft-linj  A'ah  Ahrahta,  and  in  h\f  dcsli>gj 
withjncob,  ftr  "!  b  hu  dciling^  ^\\h  &.t  ifrtc\h<t'i  frrna  liir.c  to  iime» 
And  doubi'cfj  ihcy  bad  Jorq  joyfully  cxpcttctl  thf.  comir  g  ofChxift ; 
but  now  thty  fee  ti  accooipiiHicd,  and  ihcrefoia  great  y  rejoice, 
acd  {Vg  p'silcs  en  this  ccsij;  ;n. 

N  jiice  vfit'  r-^ktr.  of  it  by  fomc  attong  thcj-w? ;  as  particularly 
by  Etizabefh  arc?  ibc  V«  gin  Msry  before  the  bnfh  ofChrift  ;  not 
to  fay  by  Juhi.  the  B;;p:jft  bcfcr;  he  1^2.1  barn,  when  he  lQ-^p:6  Itt 
his  mother's  wouib  as  it  were  foT  j.-y,  at  the  voice  oJ  ihe  falutatioa 
of  Mafy.  Bur  Elizabeth  and  Mary  do  m6{\  j^yfiWy  praifc  G-^J 
together,  when  they  meet  with  ChriH:  and  his  forerunner  in  thtif 
woiobs,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  in  their  fouls,  An4  afteiwarc*  what 
joyful  notice  is  taksn  of  this  fvcht  by  th«  flijphcrdi,  and  by  thofe 
boly  pcrfons  Zachiria.i,  and  Sr'oieon,  and  Anna  !  Hovr  do  they 
praife  God  on  this  occr-fjon. !  Thus  the  church  of  God  in  heaven, 
and  tht  church  en  carib^  do  as  it  were  units  in  their  joy  and  praifc 
©n  this  occ:f;cn. 

Notice  vi-33  taken  of  it  cy  the  G^n tiffs,  which  appeared  in  the 
wif«  men  of  shs  eaft.  Great  part  of  the  'jnirevfe  4<ycs  as  it  were 
kikc  a  joyf'Jfl  notice  of  the  incarnatica  of  Chrifl.  Hasten  takci 
•oticc  of  ir,  and  !he  inhabitmls  fing  for  joy.  This  lower  vtorJd, 
the  world  of  msrkmd,  dc«s  a!fc  take  notice  of  h  in  both  pjrti  el 
it,  Jews  snd  GzhllUj,  It  pleafcd  God  to  pu».honor  on  hit  Son, 
fey  wonderfully  rtiuing  up  feme  ci'  th«  wifefl  of  the  G^atils*  to 
come  a  lon%  joatncy  to  fe;  and  worship  the  Son  of  God  at  his  birth, 
being  led  by  a  ajlr^cu'otti  ftir,  %-i''>  :*^S  the  birth  of  that  g!ono«s 
jperfoc,  who  h  tkti  b?ig>-t  aad  nscrriijg  ftir,  going  before, snd  lead- 
ing tfetm  to  the  vsry  pliCt  Where  t^c  yourg  child  w?j,  8eiae  think 
they  were  infl.u^^cd  by  the  prophecy  of  Bda.m,  who  dwelt  is  tht 
eaAern  mm,  and  fcreio'd  Chri{\'i  ccn:irg  «»  a  ftar  that  ftiowW  rife 
•ut  mi  Jdcob-  C-  thty  Bi'ght  be  inAruded  by  that  general  eipec- 
taiion  there  wai  of  the  McjTi.ih's  comrog  about  that  I'me,  before 
fpokcn  of,  from  the  notice  tb«y  had  of  it  by  the  prophcciei  the  Jews 
kid  of  hioa  in  their  difpsTtl^r.i  in  all  paai  of  the  world  at  that  lime, 

J  The  nf.x.t  concom'!ist  of  thf  birth  c^  Chfift  was  kii  cir9um- 
eifioa.  Buc  t'^ii  Hn?y  mo»c  properly  be  fpckia  of  under  a&othcff 
fccrid,  and  fo   I  will  not  hf\^  upon   it  now. 

4  The  n.-:x»  eonccmftynt  ws?  hii  firft  coming  into  the  fecond 
ttwpie,  whicif  WM  hit  baing  brcujht  titithcr  vh^  an  infant,  09 


t44  A    H  1  S  T  O  11  Y  of 

occallon  of  the  purtficstiaa  of  the  bleffcd  Virgin.  We  read,  Hag|^, 
ii,  7  '•'  Tkc  dcHrc  of  ail  naticnit  ftnll  corne,  and  I  vj-lU  fill  thh 
i;:oui'£.(or  ^<{mp*e)  »iih  glcy-*'  And  in  Mai.  iii,  I,  *«  The  Lord, 
whom  yc  feck,  Ci)i\U  fu2idei:.Iy  coae  to  hij  ttrr^pU,  tnn  ihc  mef- 
fenger  of  ta«  covr^nint."  Ai->d  now  wai  the  fijA  inftance  of  the 
ji.ifi<aicnl  of  Ihefc  prophcciei. 

5".  The  I31I  conco-j&ftaRt  i  fhsll  mcnlion  is  ^he  fcepsrc's  dtparl- 
isg  ffcsa  Ji.idah»  In  shs  death  of  Herod  the  Great.  The  fceptr« 
bad  jjevtr  ^of.il2y  flep>a«e  i'rotn  Judaih  liU  no«r.  Jud*h'«  fccptr« 
iar-?  grer.tly  diKsJnifhcd  in  the  ie<ju!t  of  ihe  ten  tribct  iiiJcrcbo;.»*5 
time  ;  nni  the  fccptrs  departed  fran  Ifrae)  or  £phr?iit5B  at  the  tii«e 
of  tee  capvtviiy  of  tht  ien  Jribesby  Shaliiunefer.  But  ya  the  fc.*ptr« 
irsnuiincd  m  tii«?  tfibc  SI  ju<d:ih,  under  the  kingi  of  tke  houfe  of 
David.  And  when  the  iribci  of  judaih  and  Bcrjv»inJ«  we.-e  carried 
c^puveby  Ncbucr.«Qr,tzzar,  the  fcepireof  judsh  ceafed  fora  little 
whik,  tiJi  the  retur's  Irom  ihc  esptlviry  under  €^vt«s  :  and  then, 
ifaougbthcy  -Aere  not  an  independent  j;oYern«ient,  as  they  bad  beeni 
tefori,  but  o^ti  f^^slty  toih-  kings  of  fcvlii :  y«t  their  gevcrnor 
TfrsB  of  thcrcf^K'e«,  who  had  the  power  of  life  a!»d  deat^,  and  they 
Tiere  goverr.t*:?  by  their  own  laws  ;  and  fo  Judah  ;h»d  a  lawgiTCt 
from  beivifen  his  feet  during  the  Perfiai?  sud  Gf^chn  monarchies, 
To^vards  the  latter  part  of  ihc  Orccian  o!o»arehy,  the  people  \Vere 
govcrri«d  by  kioj^^i  of  their  own,  of  the  face  of  «be  Macfiabee?,  for 
iliC  gfestcr  part  of  an  hiwdre^  yeafi ;  sad  afrar  that  they  were  fub- 
duccs  by  the  Romant.  But  yit  th4i  Roaiani  fufferad  then  to  ^c 
goveraed  by  their  ovrn  la^rt,  and  t»  htt«  a  king  of  tlwir  owtk* 
Herod  the  Great,  who  rcljned  iboyt  forty  years,  aad  f  overnttl 
with  proper  kinfly  authority,  only  payiwjbo«a(|«  to  the  I^omaaf^ 
But  prcfenily  after  Chrifl  Wiiborn  bt  dh4,  ai  wt  hare  an  aecounK* 
^Matth.  ii.  19,  ?nd  Archelaut  fuccctdad  htm  ;  but  ^ni  foon  put 
pjwn  by  the  Roms.n  Ercperor  ;  and  then  tha  fceptre  depart- 
ed from  Jw^iih.  Tnere  were  n  ^  more  teaiporal  king*  of  J^jdah 
after  th^t,  icither  h«d  that  peop!a  their  {OTernors  fro^  the  midft 
of  tbemfrWes  after  that,  bmt  were  rule<i  by  a  Rooian  governor  fen5 
sftiong  them  ;  and  they  coifed  any  osorc  to  have  the  power  of  life 
and  licath  anion|  ihemfelve*.  Hence  the  Jews  fay  to  Pilate,  **  It 
h  not  lawful  i'or  us  to  put  any  man  todcaib,"  John  xviii.  31.  Tht* 
ihc  fceptre  departed  frooi  judah  whea  Stiilch  iame« 

PART    ir. 

MA  V  T  NO  thus  coaidcrcd  CbriA's  coming  info  ihc  wotU^ 
"  and  bte  taking  on  hiaa  our  r^ature,  to  put  hiiafelf  in  a  capacity 
f«r  the  pnrchafe  of  fedatopiioa,  fcoma  now,  Sf.co  n  dly,  lo  fpcais 
0f  ike  parcfenfc  hfelf. — ^— And  in  fpeaking  of  thi»,  I  would, 
Z,    Shovr  what  h  inissdad  by  the  purchafe  of  redamptioa* 


Ac  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  145 

2;  Obfcrvc  fomc  things  in  general  conccrnbg  thofc  thingi  by 
which  this  purchafe  was  made. 

5.  I  would  orderly  confdcr  thofc  things  which  Chrift  did  and 
ia^citdj  by  which  that  purchafe  was  ai^ds. 

Sect.     I. 

IW  O  U  L  D  (how  what  is  here  intended  by  Chrifl's  purchaf- 
ing  redcnaptioD.  There  arc  two  ihingi  that  arc  intended  by  i'^ 
viz.  his  fatisfadion,  and  his  merit.  All  Is  done  by  the  price  thai 
Chrift  lays  down.  Bui  the  price  thra  Chrifl  hid  down  does  two 
•hings  :  it  pays  our  debt,  and  fo  it  fatisf  a  :  by  its  intrinfic  value, 
ind  by  the  agreement  between  the  Fatfesr  and  the  Son,  it  procures 
a  title  to  us  for  happincfs,  and  fo  it  msritt.  The  fatisfa^tion 
of  Chrift  is  to  free  us  from  mifcry,  and  the  merit  of  Chrift  is  to 
purchafe  happincfs  for  us. 

The  word  purchafe,  as  it  is  ufed  with  refp-fl  to  the  pLTchafe  of 
Chri."*,  it  taken  either  more  ftriflly  or  more  largely.  It  is  often- 
I'oass  ufcd  »orc  itridly  to  fignify  only  the  merit  of  Ghrift  ;  an4 
fomeiicnes  more  largely,  to  fignify  both  his  fatisfac^ion  and  merit. 
Indeed  moftof  the  words  which  arc  ufcd  in  this  affnir  have  vsri- 
eus  figniftcations.  Thus  fcmeUFncs  divines  ufe  vterit  in  this  af- 
fair iot  the  whole  price  ih^il  Chrift  offered,  both  fatisfatficry,  ?nd 
and  alfo  pofitivcly  meritorious.  And  fo  the  word  fatiifa^icn  i» 
f*;)metime5  ufed,  not  only  for  his  propitiation,  but  alfo  lor  his  me- 
ritorious obedience.  For  in  fome  fcnfe,  liot  only  fufF-ring  ihe. 
penalty,  but  pofitive!y  obeying,  is  needful  to  fatisfy  the  law.  The 
rcafoa  of  this  various  ufcof  thcfe  terms  fccms  to  be,  that  fatisfac- 
lion  and  merit  do  not  differ  fo  much  really  as  relatively.  They 
both  corifi.'t  in  paying  a  raluable  price,  a  price  of  infinite  val^c  i 
but  only  that  price,  as  it  rcfpeds  a  debt  to  be  paid,  h  called /a/r;- 
f  action  ;  and  a«  it  refpcAs  a  pofiiivc  good  to  be  obtained,  is  called 
fatrit.  Tne  difference  between  paying  a  debt  and  making  a  po- 
fi:ive  purchafe  is  more  rebiive  than  it  ii  effcctial.  He  who  hys 
<5«wn  a  price  to  pay  a  debt,  docs  in  fome  fenfcm^k;  a  p«rchafc  : 
he  purchafes  liberty  from  the  obligation.  And  he  who  hys  down 
a  price  to  purchafe  a  good,  does  as  it  were  mzke  fatisf^dlion  :  he 
•  fatisfles  the  conditional  demands  cf  him  to  whom  he  pays-  it. 
Tkis  miy  fuilice  concerning  wh^t  is  m<:ant  by  the  purchafe  of 
Chrift. 

Sect.    II. 

IN  O  W  procted  to  fome  general  obfervatJons,  concerning 
thofc  things  by  which  this  purchafe  was  made. -And  hcic, 

I.  I  would  obfeivc,  that  whatever  in  Chrift  had  the  nature  of 
fitif  fa^icMf  it  was  by  virtue  of  the  fufTcring  or  humiliation  that 
%at  in  it.  Bat  whatcvar  kad  the  nsture  of  merit,  it  was  by  virtue 
fl  Ike  eUdicacc  gr  rightcoufcofs  thc;e  tra»  is  it.    Tbi  I^tisfa^t- 


14^  A  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    cf 

on  of  Chrift  corfifts  ia  bit  anfwcring  the  demands  of  law  on  maui 
which  were  co:^ftq  jcnt  o«  ihc  breach  of  the  law,  Thcfe  were  an- 
fvrercd  by  fcffwfirg  the  penalty  of  ihe  lawa  tht  merit  of  Chrift 
cotiCidt  in  what  be  did  to  anfwcr  the  demands  of  tho  law,  which 
were  pfior  to  man's  breach  of  ?he  law,  orio  fulfil  what  the  law 
demanded  before  man  finned,  which  wat  obedience. 

The  fatisf adion  or  propitiation  cf  Chrift  confiAs  either  in  bif 
fuffcring  evil,  or  hij  being  fubj^i!t  to  abtfeificnt.  For  Cbrift  did 
not  only  make  fati*fafticn  by  proper  fulTcring,  but  by  whatever 
h.d  the  maturt  of  htmiliatioB,  ssd  abafemcnt  of  circumftantci. 
Thui  Chrift  made  fadsfadion  for  £n,  by  continuing  under  the  pow- 
er of  death,  while  he  hy  buried  in  the  grave,  though  acither  hit 
body  nor  foul  properly  endured  any  foflcrirg  after  he  wai  dead; 
Whatever  Chri/l  was  fubjstl  la  that  was  the  judicial  fruit  of  fin, 
had  the  nature  of  faiisfadion  for  fm.  But  not  only  proper  fufFcr- 
ing,  but  gll  abafcment  sad  dcprefPion  of  the  ftatc  and  circuinfU^.- 
ees  of  aaankind  below  its  primitive  honour  and  dignity,  fuch  at 
his  body 'i  rcmiinirg  uader  death,  and  body  and  foul  reinaining 
.  feparate,  and  other  thiegt  that  might  be  mentioned,  are  the  judiei* 
al  ftuits  of  (iiu  And  all  th&t  ChriA  did  in  bit  f^ate  of  humiltatt^ 
on,  tkst  had  the  nature  of  obedience  or  moral  virtue  et  goodnefi 
in  it,  in  one  refpecl  or  another  had  the  aature  of  merit  in  it,  and 
was  p^-rt  of  the  price  with  which  he  pui  chafed  hsppinefs  for  the  ele^. 

a.  I  would  obf:rvc,  that  both  Chrift's  fatisfadtibn  for  fie,  and 
tlfo  bis  meriting  hspplnefs  by  his  righteoufncfs,  were  carried  on 
through  the  whole  lime  of  his  humiliauon.  Chrift'i  Uthh&ion. 
for  fin  was  not  only  by  hii  Uft  ftffirings,  though  it  was  principal- 
ly by  then  ;  but  all  hij  fuffrringf,  and  all  the  humiliation  that  he 
Waf  fuijed  tof  om  the  fi^i\  mo.'s.ent  of  his  incarnation  to  his  re- 
fu.r^ticft,  were  propiiiatory  or  faiiifaflory,  Chrifl's  fatisf^e^ 
tton  wa»  chiefly  by  hiide^th,  bccaufe  hii  fufftrings  and  huonilia'^ 
tion  in  th«t  was  gcatcft.  Sut  all  his  other  fuffcrings,  and  all  hif 
other  huaoiUati on,  alt  along  had  flie  nilure  of  fatisfad^ion,  Sa 
h^d  the  me '.n  circuaii^ances  in  which  he  vvas  bern.  His  being 
born  in  fuch  a  low  condition,  was  to  make  fstisf^i^ion  fof 
fin.  H'sbcirgborn  o^a  peer  virgin,  in  a  flable,  aad  his  beiig 
laid  tn  a  oiangcr  ;  bi^  t,ki-  g  the  htman  r)ature  upoa  him  is  it) 
low  ft^'C.  and  unBer  ih»fe  infi-miiics  brought  upon  it  by  the  fall  ; 
hi<  bcii>g  bom  in  the  form  of  fiufu'  flw^,  had  the  nature  of  fatia- 
f*^ion.  A  d  fo  all  h58  fufFsrings  in  his  infancy  and  childho«d» 
and  T.V  that  l^bcur,  and  contemp^i  and  rcproaeh,  and  tCfnptatioBy 
and  difTi*'»lt\  of  ^ay  kind,  or  that  >"e  fiffercd  through  the  whbit 
C0U  fc  of  hh  li^c,  w^s  of  a  propitiatory  and  falisfaftory  sature. 
AaU  fo  hia  puiGliafo  •(  happincfi  by  bii  rightcoufneri  was  affci 

carri£4 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  ION,  147 

earriedon  through  tk$  whole  time  of  bit  humilintioQ  till  his  refur- 
re^lioQ  s  not  ooly  in  that  obedience  he  performed  through  the 
«ourfc  of  hii  life,  butalfo  in  the  obedience  he  performed  in  laying 
down  his  life, 

3.  It  was  by  tktt  fame  things  that  Chri/l  hath  fatisficd  God's 
juftice»  9nd  alfo  purchafed  eternal  h.ppiucfs.  This  fatisfadioa 
tnd  putchifc  of  CbriA  wtre  not  only  botb  carried  on  through  ih« 
whole  time  of  ChriiVs  humiliatioa,  but  (bey  w$/e  both  carried  on 
by  the  fame  things.  He  did  not  make  fatiiiadiqn  by  fome  things 
that  he  did,  and  thea  work  out  a  righteoufnefs  by  oibci  diifcrc&t 
thipgi ;  but  in  the  fame  ads  by  which  he  wrought  out  righteouf- 
vcfs,  he  alfo  made  fatisfadioo,  but  only  taken  in  a  dij3eient  rela- 
tion. Oac  and  the  fame  a(f^  of  Chrift,  cjK^Jc.ed  with  refpefl  t« 
the  obedience  there  was  in  it,  was  part  of  his  righteGufn«:fs,  and 
purchafcd  heaven  :  b«t  co'^fiJerf d  with  refpcfl  to  the  fclf-d«nial, 
and  difficulty,  and  humiliation,  with  which  he  performed  it,  hai 
the  nature  of  fati&faftion  for  fin,  and  procured  our  pardon.  Thui 
his  going  about  doing  good,  preaching  the  gofpel,  and  teaching 
hii  difciples,  was  a  part  uf  his  righteoufncfs,  and  purchafe  of  hea- 
ven, as  it  was  done  ia  obedieace  to  the  Father  ;  and  ths  fame  was 
part  of  his  fatisfa^tion,  as  he  did  it  with  great  labour,  trouble,  sn«t 
wearinefs,  and  under  great  temptations,  cspo/ing  himfelf  hereby  to 
reproach  and  coatcmpt.  So  bis  hying  down  his  life  had  the  nt- 
turt  of  Xatiifadion  to  God's  offended  jaftice,  confidercd  as  hifl 
bearing  oi;r  punifhmenl  in  our  ftead  :  b«£  confidercd  as  an  a<fl  of  o* 
bediiace  to  Qod,  who  had  given  him  this  comnamd,  that  he  (hcuM 
lay  down  his  life  for  fmncrs,  it  was  a  part  of  his  righccoufocfsp 
and  purchafe  of  heaven,  and  as  much  the  principal  part  of  his  righ« 
Icoufnefa  as  it  was  the  principal  part  of  bis  faiisf^dion.  And  (o 
to  inftancc  in  his  circumcifion,  what  fee  fuffcred  in  that,  had  thi 
nature  of  fatiafadlion  :  the  blood  that  wss  {^cd  in  his  circuaciHon 
wai  propitiatory  blood  ;  but  as  it  was  s  conformity  to  the  law  of 
Mofes,  it  was  part  of  his  meritorious  lightcoufncfs.  Thougk  it 
was  aot  properly  the  aft  of  his  hum^n  na-ujc,  he  being  an  infant  5 
yet  it  being  what  the  hutnan  nature  wzs  the  fubjf  ft  of,  and  being 
the  aft  of  ibat  perfaa,  it  was  accepted  as  an  aft  of  dit  pbcdicnce, 
as  our  mediator. 

And  fo  even  his  bf.ing  born  in  fuch  a  low  cond'!rcn,  bsd  ihc 
•aturc  of  fatisfaftion,  by  rcafun  of  the  humnir-tion  that  was  in  it, 
and  alfo  of  rig»^teoufnefs,  ai  it  was  the  sft  of  ris  pcrTor  in  ohe4i- 
cncc  to  the  Father*  aad  what  the  human  n'<tirc  \V3«  ihe  fu!  jrft  cf, 
and  what  the  vill  of  the  human  nature  did  flcqjiefce  in.  ihougli 
there  was  no  aft  of  the  will  of  the  human  nature  prior  to  it. 

Th  ESK  things  may  fufficc  to  have  obfervrd  in  the  general  ccs- 
etcaing  th«  purcbafc  Cojift  «ad«r  of  ttdsit.plon, 

' "■"  §  2    C    T, 


t4^  A    H  I  :?  T  O  R  Y  of 

Sect.     Ill, 

I  NOW  proceed  to  fpcolc  morr  particularly  of  tnofc  things  «fcfcli 
Chrift  did,  and  was  ?hc  fubjcci  of,  duriog  tht  titne  of  hh  hn- 
Biiliaiion,  whereby  this  puishafc  was  made.—— -The  nature  cf  tfcc 
purchafe  of  Chrifr,  ks  it  has  been  cxpUined,  leadi  us  to  coafider 
thcfc  thsngs  under  twcfold  vi«w,   viz. 

1.  With  reaped!  to  bin  righteoufntfr,  which  appeared  in  them, 

2.  With  refpcdt  to  thefufferings  and  kumiliaxion  ibat  be  wa* 
fubjcjft  lo  in  them  in  oui-  i'tcad. 

§1  I  win  confj  :er  the  thing?  thst  psfT-d  during  the  time  ol 
Chrift 's  humili-ation,  wi^k  refpctl  to  the  cheJience  and  *ighttcufnrft 
that  he  cxcrcifsd  in  thcoo.  Affd  this  is  fubjed  to  a  ihiccfold  dif- 
tribution.     I  fti^i'  therefore  confider  his  obcdicncCp 

1.  W'th  refped  to  the  larvt  which  he  obctyed. 

2.  With  rcfpsd  to  the  different  f  ages  vf  k:s  lift  in  which  l« 
pcrformad  it. 

3.  With  rcfpedl  to  the  'virtue f  In  extrcijei  in  his  obciienc*. 

I.  Ths  firft  dif^ribution  of  the  ad«  of  Chrift**  rightcoufocff  ?s 
with  refpcd  to  the  la-wt  -rvhich  Chrift  obiyed  ia  that  righicoufnefi 
^hich  he  performed.  But  here  it  m\u^  be  obferved  in  general,  thai 
all  the  precepts  which  Chrift  obtycd  m^y  be  reduced  ro  one  Isw, 
^nA  that  is  that  which  thcApoitlccails  the  la-w  sf  ivorks,Rom.  iii  27, 
Every  command  that  Chrin  obeyed  may  be  reduced  to  ihit  great 
find  evcrbiUog  law  of  Gjd  that  is  contained  in  ihc  covcnani  of 
ivorks,  that  etcrna?  ru'e  of  right  which  Gofi  had  cfiabiiiSitiG  bf^tvveeo 
fcimfeifsnd  mankind,  Chfifi  came  in^o  the  world  to  fulfil  snd 
aafwcr  the  covenant  of"  trorks  ;  that  is,  the  eovtiiact  ihaJ  l»  to  (ran^l 
forcveir  at  a  ruic  of  judgcyjsnt ;  and  that  h  the  covenant  that  »e  ha<i 
bicken»  and  that  wai  the  cc'Vf.nsnt  that  Uiuft  be  ful{i*!ed. 

This  law  of  works  iadeed  includes  sU  the  la^ys  of  Gtid  which  eve? 
have  been  given  10  mankind  ;  for  it  h  ?.  f^wcral  luis  of  the  law  of 
wofks,  anci  indeed  of  tbs  Is-*  of  nature..  That  God  is  to  be  obeyed, 
and  thai  he  mufi:  be  fcbmiucd  to  inwhutewcr  pofiiivc  precept  be  is 
ptcafed  to  give  us.  it  is  a  ritlc  of  the  law  of  works.  That  men 
ihould  obey  their  cat  r  y  psrcrts  :  and  it  is  certainly  as  much  a 
rule  of  the  fame  law,  Ti2?.i  we  fhcuM  obey  cur  beavcnly  Father  : 
and  lo  the  hxv  of  works  requires  cb«dicncc  to  all  pofitivc  cotJOffi^ndf 
of  God.  It  iiquifcd  /Idsni's  cbedicncc  to  that  pofitive  comiDand, 
Not  to  cat  of  the  forbiddtn  f^uit  ;  and  it  required  obedience  of  the 
Jews  to  all  the  poficive  coffiniands  of  their  intlitution.  When  God 
rjommandcd  J ^nah  to  arife  :tnd  go  to  Nineveh,  the  law  of  woi'ij 
I  rquired  hioi  to  obey  ;  and  fo  it  required  Chrifl'i  obedience  to  al* 
ihc  pofitive  commands  which  God  gave  him. 

Bdt  nore  parucuUrly,  the  cammandt  cf  God  which  Chrfjf  obeyed, 

weie 


tlie  Work  of    REDEMPTION,  149- 

•TCfC  of  three  Iclnds;  they  were  either  fuck  ps  he  W3»i  fuKje<^  to 
xncrjiy  ^jy  ,*«aM,  or  fuch  as  he  was  fubjcft  to  ai  In  -wmi  a  JiW,  or 
fuch  a»  he  wai   fubj;(5^  to  purely  tff  Mtdiatsr, 

1.  Htr  obcytd  !hofc  commandls  which  he  wai  fubje(f\  to  merely 
»3  r:«j«  -•  and  they  were  the  commands  of  the  moral  Jaw, which  wa§ 
the  famt  with  that  which  was  given  at  Mount  Sinai,  written  in  two 
tables  of  ilortc,  vAAch  arc  obl-gatory  on  mankind  of  all  nation* 
and  all  ages  of  the  world. 

2.  He  obeyed  all  ihofr:  laws  he  was  fubjcft  to  ?.s  he  was  a  Jrw/ 
Thus  be  was  fubjefl  to  the  ctrenrsonia!  law,  and  was  conformed  to  it. 
H^  was  conformed  to  it  in  his  b^ing  crrcumclfed  the  eighth  d»y  ; 
and  he  ftriflly  obeyed  it  in  going  up  fo  Jcrufakm  to  the  temple  three 
timci  a-yesr  ;  atleaft  after  he  was  come  to  the  age  of  twelve  years,, 
which  feems  to  have  been  the  age  when  the  males  began  to  go  up  ta 
:he  temple.  And  fo  Chri(t  coni^anily  attanded  the  fcrvics  of  the 
temple,  itnti  of  the  fynagoguts. 

To  this  head  of  hii  obedience  to  the  Isw  that  be  ;vai  fubjed^  to  a, 
a  Jew,  may  be  reduGcd  his  fubmiifion  to  John's  baptifm.  For  it 
was  a  fpecial  command  to  the  Jews,  to  go  forth  to  John  the  Bi<ptif^, 
2nd  be  bspiizsd  of  him  i  ^rA  there/ore  Chri(t  being  ajcw,  was  fub- 
jc6l  to  tfeis  command  :  «nd  therefore,  when  he  cama  to  be  baptized 
of  J«hn,  and  John  objedkd,  that  he  had  more  need  to  come  to  hrai 
%•  be  b-jpt!z:d  of  hi»i,  he  gives  this  reafon  for  it,  That  is  was  need- 
ful that  he  fsiijuij  do  it,  that  he  might  f^HU  all  righieoufncft.  See 
MiUh.  ill.  13.  14.  15. 

3.  Anoihci  law  that  Car ift  was  fubje^  to,  was //i*  mediatorta! 
|tfu/V  which  Contained  ihofe  coaamands  of  Gjd  to  which  he  wa» 
fubjcdt,  not  merely  as  man,  nor  yet  a<  a  Jew,  but  which  related 
p.i»cly  to  his  mcciicitorial  ctliae.  S'jch  were  the  commands  which 
the  Father  gave  hsm,  to  teach  fuch  do<flrine«,  to  pre?.ch  the  gofpcl, 
10  work  fuch  aairacks,  10  call  fuch  difcip!«s,  to  appomt  fiich  or- 
dinances, and  filially  to  Uy  down  his  lile  :  for  be  did  all  thefe 
things  in  obedience  to  commandi  he  bad  received  of  the  Father,  21 
he  often  tells  ua.  And  tkefc  commands  he  was  noi;  fubjed  t»  merely 
«s  man  ;  for  they  did  not  belong  to  other  men  :  nor  yet  was  he 
fttbj:(ft  to  ihcm  as  a  Jew  ;  for  they  were  no  part  of  the  Mcfaic  law  ; 
but  lUcy  wrert  coaimands  that  he  had  received  of  the  Father,  that 
purely  rcfpeded  ih^  vrork  he  was  to  do  in  the  world  in  his  me- 
diatorial ofltcc. 

It  is  to  be  obfcrved,  that  Chrift's  r-ghteoufnefs,  by  which  he  me- 
rited heaven  for  himfclf,  and  all  who  believe  in  him,  confifts  prin- 
cipally in  his  obedience  to  this  mediatorial  law  :  for  in  fulfiliirg 
this  law  confilicd  his  chief  work  an^  bufincfs  in  the  world.  The 
hiitory  of  the  evangelift?  h  chiefly  taken  up  in  giring  !in  account 
^i  bis  obidicnce  to  this  law  :  and  tbit  part  of  bii  obedience  »a* 

that 


ifo  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    cl 

that  which  was  attended  wiih  the  grcatcft  difficulty  of  ail  j  an<l 
therefore  his  obedience  in  it  wxi  moft  meritorious.  What  Chrifk 
fcad  to  do  in  the  world  by  virrue  of  his  being  Mc<lialor,w;4i  infinitely 
more  difficuU  than  what  h«hai  2odo  otierj^iy  as  a  man^  or  as  a  Jew. 
To  his  obedicoec  to  ihis  mediatorial  law  belongs  his  going  through 
hu  ltd  fuff;2riHgs,  beginning  waii  his  agony  in  the  gard^i^  aod 
ending  wi^  his  rciurredion. 

A«  the  cbsdisnce  of  the  fir/t  Adani,  frhereia  hia  rightcoufnefi^ 
Krould  kzvc  confi/led,  if  he  had  ftood,  would  have  mainly  conflflcd, 
nol  hii  in  obedi«nce  to  the  moral  !aw,  to  whieh  he  was  fubject 
casrcly  as  man,  but  in  his  obfidicn<:e  to  that  fpccial  law  that  he  wat 
{iJbl<^t\  to  39  moral  bead  and  furety  of  aiin^ind>even  the  command 
of  ab{!*iaing  from  the  tree  of  Itaowisdgc  of  good  and  evil ;  fo  tht 
obedience  of  the  fecond  Adam,  wherein  bis  righteoufncfs  confiAi^ 
lies  mainly,  not  in  his  obedicnpe  of  the  iaw  that  he  was  fubje<5i  to 
merely  as  man,  but  to  ihst  fpeoial  iaw  which  he  was  fubjeJl  to  m 
his  office  as  iV4cdiator  and  futcty  for  man, 

Bfe  Fo  R.  E  I  proceed  to  the  aest  diftribution  of  Chrift's  righ^eouf* 
oefj,  1  would  ubuivc  shfcs  things  concerning  Chrifl's  obedience  to, 
Ihefe  laws. 

J,  H«  per  formed  that  obedience  to  them  which  waj  in  every 
(pcfpcrt  perf&£f.  It  Wis  univcrfai  as  to  the  kinds  of  laws  that  he 
was  futjttil  to ;  he  obsyed  each  of  ihcfc  three  laws  ;  and  it  was 
mniveri^l  with  rtfps^t  to  every  Individual  precept  contained  in 
{hefe  laws,  and  h  was  perfcft  &s  to  each  comnaand.  It  wa^ 
perfcdl:  as  to  pofuivc  trsnfgjeflrons  avoided:  ^or  he  never  tranfgrclT- 
ci  in  oiie  laftancc  ;  be  was  gyiUy  of  no  fin  of  comaiifTion.  It  wa» 
jfntieSi  with  7efpc<^  to  the  worl^  comtBSDSled  :  he  perfeded  the 
whole  work  at  each  Goramand  required,  and  nevcf  was  guilty  of 
any  fm  of  omiOioo*  It  was  pcrfeft  with  refpedt  to  the  principles 
from  which  be  obeyed  :  his  h;art  was  perfs^t,  his  principles  were 
fshoUy  rfght,  there  was  no  corruption  in  his  heart.  It  was  per- 
U4\  wijh  refpcd  10  the  cncis  he  a^ed  for  :  for  he  never  had  any. 
by-ends,  bu|  tvaird  perfcd^Iy  et  fuchcndt  a$  the  law  of  God  requir- 
ed. It  W3.%  pcrfscl  sfith  rcfp-£i  to  the  manner  of  perforta^nce  i 
^very  ciicuQr.A«nce  of  each  ad  was  perfedly  conformed  to  the  com- 
jnand.  h  was  perfed  with  refpc^  to  the  degree  of  the  perform- 
rnce  :  he  aded  wholly  up  to  the  rule.  It  was  perfcd  wi:b  refpcfl 
to  the  conftancy, of  obedience  :  he  did  not  only  perfeflly  obey 
fomeiinnes,  but  eonftanlly  without  any  interruption.  It  was  pet- 
fcft  with  rcfpcd  to  pei  f  cverance  :  he  held  out  in  peric<f\  obedience 
to  the  very  end,  through  all  the  changes  he  palTcd  thro«gci,  and  sfi 
the  li'ials  that  were  before  hioa. 
Ta6i;erit9rigufi;i^fegfQhdrVto^e4^Cfice|4epeQJ9  on  the  per 
' '^"  ■""  h^i9% 


the  Work  of  *  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  ift 

itftion  of  it.  If  ilbadfaUcd  in  ary  ioRance  cf  pcrfcftion,  if 
could  not  have  been  meritorious  :  for  imperfect  obedience  is  sot 
accepted  as  any  obedience  at  all  in  the  fight  of  the  law  of  ^workso 
which  wai  that  law  that  Cbrift  was  fuLjedl  to  ;  for  that  is  not  ss* 
cepted  as  an  obedience  to  a  law  that  dots  not  anfwer  that  law* 

2.  The  next  thing  I  would  obferve  of  Cbrift's  cbeditncc  is,  that 
it  was  performed  through  the  great&ft  trials  and  temptations  that 
ever  any  obedience  was.  His  obedience  was  attended  with  the 
greateft  diffieuhies,  and  moA:  extream  sbafemcnt  and  fufTering 
thatcvcrany  obedience  was  ;  which  was  another  thing  that  len- 
dernd  it  more  meritorioui  and  thank-worthy.  To  obey  another 
when  bis  commands  are  eafy,  is  not  fo  worthy,  as  it  is  to  ob«y 
when  it  cannot  be  done  without  great  difficulty. 

3.  He  performed  this  obedience  with  infinite  refpe^  to  Oorf* 
and  the  honour  of  his  law.  The  obedience  he  performed  was  with 
infinitely  greater  love  to  God,  and  regard  to  his  auihorityi  than 
the  angels  perform  their  obedience  with.  The  angels  perform 
their  ob«di-ncc  with  that  love  wh'cb  is  pcrfcd,  with  finlcfs  perfec* 
tion  ;  but  Chri^  did  not  do  fo,  but  he  performed  bis  obedience 
with  much  greater  love  than  the  angels  do  theirs,  even  irfinite  love; 
for  tho'  the  human  nature  of  Chvift  was  not  capable  of  love  abfo- 
lutcly  infiaitCj  yet  Chrift'a  obedience  that  was  performed  in  tbaS 
human  nature,  is  not  to  be  looked  uf  on  as  mearly  the  obedience  of 
the  human  nature,  but  the  obedience  of  kis  perfon,  a"!  God  man  ; 
md  there  was  infinite  love  of  the  perfon  of  Chrift  manitcft  in  that 
obedience.  And  this  to^;ether  with  the  infinite  dignity  of  th« 
pcrfori  that  obeyed^  rendered  his  obcdfenec  inHniteJy  meritoriouf. 

II.  Tk  p  fccond  d*/tri^u!ion  o»~tbe  a^s  of  Chrifl's  obedience. 
Is  with  refpcifl  t'  the  d'ffcrent  partt  cf  his  lift,  wherein  they  were 
performed.  And  in  this  refpecl  they  m^y  be  divided  into  ihofs 
which  were  pcrforir^'i  «n  p  ivatc  li?e,  and  ihofc  whicl^  were  per- 
formed in  his  public  n^'uiftry. 

ift»  Thofe  a{K^  ci  p£/f' )rmcd  durir^  hif  private  life.  He  wat 
pcrfcftly  obedient  in  his  chihJhood  He  ir, finitely  differed  from 
Other  children,  who,  a*  foonas  they  hzgvn  to  a<f^,  begin  to  fin  and 
rcbtl.  He  was  futj-a  to  his  ea  thly  parents,  though  he  was  Lord 
of  all,  Luke  ii.  5 1 .  ht  ^as  found  about  hit  F;^ther's  bufinefs  at  twelv* 
years  of  age  in  the  tecnplc,  Ltke  ii  42.  He  then  began  that 
work  that  he  had  to  dj  in  fulfilment  of  the  mediatorial  law, 
which  the  Father  had  given  hJm.  He  continued  his  private  life 
for  about  thirty  years,  dwelli»*g  at  Nszareth  in  the  houfe  of  his  re- 
puted father Jofepb,  where  he  ferverGod  a  in  private  capacity, and 
in  following  the  mechanical  trade,  the  bufinefs  of  a  carpenter. 

lily,  Thofe  afls  which  he  performed  during  hb  fuhlis  mimijlrj 
igrbich  began  wbcn  he  was  about  thirty  years  ol  ige,  aad  continue* 

whicli 


IS*  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

for  iht  three  !aft  years  and  an  half  of  his  life.  M^ft  of  the 
liiftory  of  thf  e^angcitAats  takca  up  in  giving  an  account  of  what 
paifrid  during  chcfe  three  years  and  an  half  i  fo  i»  all  the  hiftory  of 
4hc  Evmgcli^t  Maithcvr,  cxccpiing  the  two  tirft  chr^ptcis.  So  it  ihc 
vthole  of  the  hiftory  of  thr,  EvangcUft  Mark  ;  it  bigins  and  ends 
"<»-i{h  it.  And  fo  alfo  ii  aU  the  gofpsl  of  John,  snd  all  the  gofpel 
tif  Luke,  crccpiing  the  two  liril  chapicri ;  cxocpting  alfo  what  we 
tjnd  in  the  evaageiifts  concerning  the  miniiiry  of  John  the  Bapiii^, 
Chrift's  rirfk  appearing  in  his  public  miniiby,  is  what  h  often  call- 
ed his  coming,  in  fcripture.  Thus  John  fpeaks  of  Chf ift's  coming; 
as  what  is  yet  to  be,  though  he  had  been  born  long  before. 

Cuacerning  tUc  public  aaiaiftry  of  Chrift,  1  would  obfcrvc  the 
foliowing  things,  i.  The  forerunner  of  it.  2.  T&c  manner  of 
fcis  firft  ciitring  upon  it.  3.  The  works  in  which  he  was  employed 
during  the  courfe  of  it ;  and,  4      The  manner  of  his  finiAiing  it. 

!•  Tnc  forcruancr  of  Chrift'scomimg  in  bis  public  ministry 
.  was  John  the  Baptifi: ;  He  came  preaching  repentance  for  the  rc- 
miirion  of  iins,  to  make  way  for  Chrift'a  coming,  agreeable  to  the 
prophecies  of  bim.  If.  xl.  34.  5.  and  Maith.  iv.  5.  6.  It  is  fup- 
polcd  tbat  John  the  fctapiili  began  ihe  miniftsy  about  three  ycarf 
and  an  half  before  Ciarift ;  fo  that  Joha'«  miniftry  and  Chrift's  put 
togetber,made  fiiven  years,  which  was  the  Uft  of  Daniel's  we*ks  ; 
And  this  tiaic  is  intended  in  Dsd,  ix  37.  "  He  will  confirm  the 
covenant  with  many  for  one  week."  Chrift  came  in  the  midit  of 
this  week,  viz.  in  th»  beginning  of  ihc  laft  half  of  it,  or  the  laft 
three  years  and  an  half,  as  Daniel  foretold,  as  in  the  verfe  jui  now 
«5Uotcd  :  **  And  in  tb«  midft  of  the  week  he  (hill  caufe  the  facrifice 
and  the  oblation  to  ccafc."  John  Baptifi's  miniftry  confiflcd  prin- 
dpally  in  preaching  the  Uw,  to  awaken  men  and  convince  them 
of  fia,  to  prepare  men  for  the  coming  of  Chrift,to  comfort  them,  as 
the  law  is  to  prepare  the  heart  for  ihc  entertainment  of  the  gofpel. 

A  very  remarkable  out  pouring  of  ibc  Spirit  of  God  attended 
John's  miniftry  ;  and  the  effcdt  of  it  was,  that  Jerufalem,  and  all 
Jadea,  and  all  the  region  round  about  Jordan,  were  awakened,  con- 
vinced, went  out  to  him,  and  fob.nkted  to  his  baptifm,  confcding 
their  fms.  ]^^o  "  fpoken  of  as  the  greatcft  of  all  the  prophets 
^ho  cime  before  ChriiV  :  Maith.  xi.  ir.  •*  Among  thofe  that  are 
born  of  worn:n,  there  hath  not  rifcn  a  greater  than  John  the  B--?p- 
lift  i"  f  *'  he  had  the  moft  honourable  office.  He  waj  as  the  morn- 
ing-ftar,  which  is  the  harbinger  cf  the  approaching  day,  and  fore- 
runner of  the  rifing  fan.  The  other  prophets  wcic  ftars  that  were 
to  give  light  in  the  night ;  but  we  have  haard  how  thofe  ftars  weut 
out  on  the  approach  of  the  gofpel-day.  But  now  the  coming  of 
Chrifl  being  very  nigh,  the  morning  ftar  cotnes  before  bim,  the 
brightcf^  of  all  the  fiars^  as  Jshs  the  BapuA  wu  ihe  grcateft  of  alt 
the  propbctt^  Wb€i| 


»hc  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  151 

When  Chri:l  ctmt  in  his  public  miQiiVy,the  light  of  that  mAra- 
ing-ftar  d:crcafcii  100  :  as  wc  fee,  when  the  fun  rift«,  it  diminMhci 
ihe  light  of  the  morning-/>.ir.  So  John  the  Eaptifi  fayi  of  him- 
felf,  John  iii  30.  **  He  muft  incrtafe,  but  I  muft  dccrcafc," 
A»d  foon  after  c!;hrift  began  his  public  miniflry,  John  the  Bapiift 
was  put  todeith  ;  at  the  mornin.;-  Aar  is  vifibis  a  little  while  after 
the  fun  h  rifen,  yci  foon  goes  cut. 

2.  The  next  thing  to  be  taken  notice  of  i«  Chfif^'s  entrance  oa 
his  public  miaiftry,  which  wa»  by  baptiioijfoliowcci  with  the  temp- 
lanon  in  ihe  wildernefs.  His  baptifm  was  as  it  wcifl  his  fc!ema 
iaa'jguratton,  by  which  he  entered  on  his  minify ny  ;  ard  was  at- 
tended with  hit  being  anointed  with  il\e  Ho'y-Ghoft,  in  a  feJcma 
and  vifible  manner,  the  HoljGhoft  dcfcendii  g-  upoa  him  in  a  vifib'e 
fhapclikea  dove,  attended  with  a  voice  hum  heaven,  fi^yinge 
"  Th's  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  &m  w«ll  pleafcd,"  Matt* 
iii.  16    17. 

After  this  he  was  led  by  the  devil  into  the  wildernefs.  Sstao 
made  a  violent  onfct  upon  him  at  his  ^ift  entrance  00  his  wovk  ; 
and  now  he  had  a  remarkable  trial  of  bii  obetiicnce  ;  but  he  got 
the  viftory.  He  who  had  fuch  fuccefs  with  the  fiiil  Adam,  hai 
nunc  with  the  fecond* 

3.  1  would  tske  not!f.«  of  the  work  in  which  ChriA  wit 
cnaploycd  during  his  minJAry.  And  hcic  iirc/Arf»  things  chitfl/ 
io  be  taken  notice  of,  viz  his  peaching,  his  woik'ng  miracles, 
and  his  calling  and  appointing  difsiples  and  minivers  of  bis 
kiwg.-Joift. 

( I.)  His  preaching  the  gofpcl.  Great  part  of  the  work  of  hii 
public  miniftry  confifted  in  this  ;  a^.d  much  of  that  obedience  by 
which  he  purchafcd  falvalion  for  ua,wafi  in  his  fp-  aki-g  thofe  thlngt 
which  the  Father  comuiaadcd  bim.  He  more  cbarly  and  abun- 
dantly revealed  the  mind  and  will  of  God,  than  ever  it  had  U«q 
revealed  before.  He  came  from  thcbofom  of  the  Father,  ^nd  per- 
fedll)  knew  his  mind,  and  was  in  the  bcfk  capsci'.y  to  reveal  it. 
As  the  fun, as  foon  as  it  is  rifsn,  begins  to  ftjine  ;  foCh»IfV,  as  fc>on 
as  he  ea«e  into  bis  publle  miaiAry,  began  to  trJigh»en  the  world 
with  bis  dcdrine.  As  the  law  w?i5  given  at  Mount  Sinai,  fo  ChriH: 
delivered  his  evangelical  dotuine,  full  of  bleffings.and  not  cui fes, 
to  a  mu'iilurfe  on  a  mountain,  as  wc  have  an  account  in  the  5th, 
6ih,  and  7th  thapiers  of  Matthew. 

When  he  preached,  he  did  not  teach  as  the  fcrlbes,  but  he  taught 
as  oa«  Laving  authority  ;  fo  that  his  hearers  were  aftcaiihcd  at  hit 
do^Uinc.  He  did  not  reveal  the  mind  and  will  of  God  in  the 
ilyle  in  which  the  prophets  ufed  to  preach,  as  riol  fpe^ktng  their 
own  words,  but  the  words  of  another  ;  and  ufcd  to  fpeak  in  fuch 
»  ftyle  39  \bb,  \[  Thui  faith  th*  Lord  ;"  but  Chtift,  in  fuch  a  fiyla 

X  as 


ift  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

at  thti,  "  I  fay  unto  you,"  thus  or  thus ;  «*  VerHy,  vcriJy,  I  fay 
I'nto  you."  He  delivered  his  dodrinei,  not  only  ai  the  doftrinti 
of  God  the  Father,  but  as  his  own  do^rincs.  He  gave  forth  hit 
comaiandi,  not  as  the  prophets  were  wont  to  do,  as  God's  com- 
xnands  but  as  his  own  coaimsnds.  He  fpakc  in  fuch  a  (lylc  as  this, 
•'  This  is  mycommandmsHt,"  John  xv.  12.  *'  Yc  are  aoy  friradt, 
if  ye  do  wbatfover  /  command  you,"  ibid.  14, 

(3.)  Another  thing  thatChrift  was  imployed  in  during  she 
courfc  of  his  aiiniftry,  was  working  miracles.  Concerning  which 
we  may  obftrve  fcvc  r^I  thirrgilf 

Their  »j«/f/*/«/^j.  Befides  particular  inf^ancci,  we  often  have 
an  account  of  multitudes  cojaisg  at  once  with  defcafes,  and  bis 
heaUng  them. 

They  were  -worht  cf  mgrcy.  In  them  was  difplaycd  not  only 
his  infiaitc  power  and  grcamefi,  but  his  inflaitc  mercy  and  good- 
ncfs.  He  went  about  doing  good,  hcaiirg  the  fick,  rcftoring  fght 
to  the  blind,  hearing  to  the  deaf,  and  the  proper  ufe  of  their  iieibf 
to  ihe  hme  and  hah ;  feeding  the  hungry,  dcanfing  the  leprous  and 
raiHng  the  dead. 

They  were  almoft  all  of  thim  fuch  at  had  beenfpekin  of  at  tks 
pscxUar  werki  of  God,  in  the  Old  Tcflament.  So  with  rcfpcd 
to  ftilling  the  fea,  Pfal.  cvii.  29.  **  He  maketh  the  florm  a  calm, 
i'o  that  the  waves  thereof  arc  Aill."  So  as  to  walking  on  the  fci 
in  a^orm  :  Job.  ix.  8.  "  Which  alone — treadeth  upon  the  wavet 
of  the  fe3."  So  as  to  cafting  out  devils :  Pfal.  Ijrxlv.  14.  "Thou 
breakeft  the  heads  of  leviathan  in  pieces."  So  as  to  feeding  a 
mulritudc  in  a  wildernefs  :  Deut.  viii.,16.  "  Who  fed  thee  in  the 
wildernefs  with  manna."  So  as  to  telling  man's  thoughts  :  Ames 
iv,  13.  ««  Lo,  he  that — declarcth  unto  ir-an  what  is  his  thought — 
the  Lord,  the  God  of  hods  is  his  name."  So  as  to  raifng  the  dead: 
Pfa^  Ixviii  20.  "UntoGod  the  Lord  bcfong  ikc  ilTue.-!  from  death-'* 
$0  as  tj  opening  the  eyes  of  the  blind  :  Pfal.  cxlvi.  8.  "  The 
Lord  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind."  So  ai  to  healing  the  fick  : 
Pfal.  clil.  3.  "  Who  healeth  ail  thy  difeafes."  So  as  to  lifting  up 
thofe  who  are  bowed  together  :  Pfal.  cxlvi-  8.  "  The  Lord  raifetia 
them  that  are  bowed  down." 

They  were  in  general  fuch  works  as  were  imaget  cf  the  great 
work  which  he  came  to  -wsrk  en  man  t  heart  ;  reprefeuting  that  in- 
ward, fpiritualcleanfin^,  healing,  renovation,  and  rcfurredtion, 
which  all  his  redeemed  arc  tbc  fubje^s  of. 

Hi  ivrcught  them  in  fuck  a  manner  as  toJJiow,  that  he  did  them 
hy  hit  Pivn  power,  and  not  by  the  power  of  another,  at  the  other 
frepketi  did.  They  were  wont  to  work  all  their  miracles  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  :  but  Chrift  wrought  in  his  ;cwn  name.  Mofts 
was  forbidden  to  cater  into  Caaaan,  bccaufc  he  fcemed   by  hh 

fpfsch 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  iN.  153 

fpcecb  to  alTuoic  the  honour  of  working  only  one  miracle  to  him- 
fclf.  Nor  did  Chrirt  woi  k  miracles  as  the  apo/ilcs  did,  who 
wrought  ihem  all  in  the  name  of  Chrift  ;  but  he  wrought  ihtm  ia 
fcls  own  nime,  ajid  by  his  own  authority  and  will  :  Thus,  faiih  be 
*'i  will  be  thou  clean."  Matlh,viii.3.  And  in  the  f-mc  ft  rain  he  put 
the  qaefiion,  "Believe  ye  that  1  am  able  to  do  this  ?"  Mauh  ix.  28, 

(}.)  Another  thing  thatChrift  did  in  the  courfc  of  hii  miniftry, 
wij  to  call  his  difciplcs.  He  called  many  difciplcs.  There  were 
many  that  he  employed  as  minifiers  ;  he  fent  fevcrity  difciplcs  at 
one  time  in  this  woik  :  but  there  were  twelve  that  he  fct  apart  ai 
apoftles,  who  were  the  grand  mtniftcrs  of  his  kingdom,  and  as  k 
were  the  twelve  foundations  of  his  church,S!se  Rev.  xxi.  14.  Thcfc 
were  the  main  inftrumcnts  of  fctting  up  his  kingiorii  in  the  world, 
and  therefore  (hall  fit  on  twelve  thrones,  jurfging  the  twelve  tribes 
of  Ifrael. 

4.   I  would  obferve  how  he  f5niilicd  his  msniflry.     And  this  wat 

(i .)  la  giving  his  dying  counfcis  to  his  difciplcs,  and  all  that 
fr.ould  be  his  difciplcs,  which  we  have  recorded  particularly  in  the 
I4'h,  15th,  and  i6th  chapters  of  John's  gjfpel, 

(2.)  In  iaAiiuting  a  folemn  Rpemorial  of  his  death.  This  he 
did  in  inftituting  the  facrament  of  the  Lord's  fupper,  wherein  uc 
have  a  rep^cfcntation  of  his  body  broken,  and  of  his  blood  fled. 

(3)  In  efTering  up  himfcif,  a^  God's  high  prieft,  1  ficriiice  to 
God,  which  he  did  in  hii  laft  fuffbrings.  This  ad  he  did  «s  God's 
miniflcr,  as  God's  anointed  prieft  ;  and  it  was  the  grcv^cfi  ad  off 
kis  public  miniftry,  the  greaieft  ad  of  his  obedience,  by  wfcicti  he 
purchafed  heaven  for  bclicvir?.  The  prisfts  cf  o!d  ufcd  to  do  ma- 
ny ether  things  asGod's  minificrs  ;  but  then  were  they  in  ihc  high- 
eft  execution  of  :hcir  office  when  they  were  adually  offering  f^cii- 
ficeon  the  altar.  So  the  greaieft  thing  that  Cbrift  did  in  the  exe- 
cution cf  his  pricftly  office,  and  the  j;r«r«Jci'i  thing  that  he  ever  did,, 
and  the  greate.^  thing  that  ever  was  done,  wss  the  offcrirg  up  him- 
fcif a  facrifict  to  God .  Herein  he  was  th^  antetypa  of  al!  that  had 
been  done  by  all  iheprlcfts,  and  in  all  their  faciificcs  and  oficrirgs, 
ficm  the  beginning  of  the  world.. 

III.  The  third  dii^ribuiicn  cf  thcad*  by  -*hich  Chr ifl  purchaf- 
ed  redemption,  regards  the  vinuti  that  (JJtri/i  ifttrr.ijtd  and  Tnani" 
jtfiid\v\  them.  And  here  I  would  cbferve,  that  Chnft  in  doing 
the  work  that  he  bad  to  do  here  in  the  wor!d  for  our  redemption, 
excrcifcd  every  poflible  virtue  and  grace,  Inctccd  there  arc  fome 
particular  virtues  that  Cnful  man  may  have,  ?hit  were  net  inChrif^ ; 
not  from  any  waat  or  dcfed  of  virtue,  but  Ircsufe  his  virtue  waa 
perftd  and  without  dcfed.  Such  is  the  viriui  of  rf  pentancc,  and 
brokcnncfs  of  heart  for  fin,  and  raortificaticn,  and  dtnying  of  lufl. 
Xb9f<:  vlr(uci  were  QOt  xq  Chriil^  becguft  hs  hzi  no  fin  of  bii  owa 

to 


iS\.  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T  of 

^orcp'llf  o^  nor  any  h?t  to  d°ny.  But  all  virtues  wh?ch  do  not 
prcfui  p.  f.:  Aj-,  were  in  hira,  ?Bd  that  in  a  higher  degree  ihan  ever 
ihty  were  in  any  other  man,  or  anv  jierc  creature.  Every  virtue 
in  h  na  w«it  pe,f-ct.  Virtue  it/;if  \va»  greater  in  hina  (ban  in  a- 
By  o'her  ;  and  il  W3i  unicr  g'-catcr  3'.;va".t3g''.8  fc(hinc  in  hioi  «h:a 
in  any  oth<:r.  frird  virtue  jhir.es  mo^^  when  moU  irica  :  but  ne- 
ver a'-jv  viivue  had  fuch  triuls  as  Cbiiirt  had. 

The  virtue  that  Chrift  cj^ercrfcd  in  the  work  he  :)\d,  m^y  be  dit- 
Tlded  into  three,  f-.^rw,  viz  the  vittu«  which  more  immediately  rcf- 
pcL^  God,  ihofe  which  imaotdlaitfiy  refpc(^t  hinifclf,  asd  ihofc 
fyhich  imrncoiajt'ly  rtfpcift  uicn. 

1.  Xhoit  viiiuei  vjhich  more  imimdiaicly  refpeH  God,  appeared 
in  Chrift  in  the  work  that  he  did  for  our  led-mption.  There  ap- 
peared in  him  an  holy  fear  and  reverence  towards  God  the  Father. 
Chrift  had  a  grente-  i:  m!  c?  hii  virtue  in  thia  tcfpcd^  than  any  o- 
thcrhsd,  from  the  honourablcncf'!  of  hh  pc^fon.  Toil  was  the 
icraptaticn  of  the  angel*  jhat  fell,  \o  cafl  cifiheir  wcrihlp  of  Goe}, 
and  revtrcccc  of  his  oriijcf^y,  that  thcj  weie  beings  of  fuch  cx^iltcd 
dignity  and  woi-toincfsthwOifcive!.  Eut  Chrili  waa  infi.'iite)y  mora 
worthy  aod  honoiiratlc  than  ihey  ;  for  he  %va3  the  ciernal  S»a  of 
G.jd,  and  hb  pttrfon  waseqi'al  to  the  psrfon  of  God  the  Father  : 
snd  yet,  as  he  had  tgk;eri  on  him  the  ofTicc  of  mediator,  and  the  na- 
ture of  man,  he  was  fall  of  rci'-crcncc  towards  God.  He  adcrcd 
him  in  the  moft  reverential  m;-.naer  time  after  time.  So  he  mani- 
fcAcd  a  wonderful  Jove  to^vards  God.  The  sngcls  pivc  great  tcflj- 
jiioiucsolthcir  iove  towards  Gcd,  ia  their  conftancy  and  agility 
in  doing  the  will  of  Gcd  ;  and  muny  faints  have  given  gr?:at  tcfti- 
monies  of  tbcir  Icvc,  who,  from  love  to  God,  have  endured  greaj: 
labours  and  fi  ffcrirg-i  ;  but  none  ever  gave  fuch  tcfi.imonies  of  love 
so  God  a»  CbrifT  hss  given  ;  cone  ever  performed  fuch  a  labour  of 
love  23  he,  and  fufi*c"cd  io  much  from  love  to  God.  So  he  mani- 
fcftcdthc  moft  \Tondcrful  fubmifilon  to.  the  will  of  God.  Never 
■was  any  one's  fubmifilon  £o  tried  sa  his  was.  So  he  iranifeftcd 
ihe  moft  wondcrtui  fpirit  of  cbcGlcnc^  that  ever  waa  manififred. 

2,  In  this  work  he  naofi:  vfonderfuliy  manifeftcd  thofc  virtu:: 
ivliich  morf  immediately  refpcSled  himfdf ;  as  particularly  humility, 
paricncc,  and  contempt  of  lbs  world.  Chri»l,  though  he  wis  the 
jnoft  cscelient  and  honorable  of  all  men,  yet  y:zz  the  moft  humble  ; 
yea,  he  w-ns  the  mcft  huar.ble  of  ail  cre^nsrcs.  No  ang«l  or  man 
ever  cqualJed  bias  ia  humility,  though  he  ttas  the  higheft  of  all 
creatures  i.':  dignity  and  honoraklcn efs.  Chrift  would  have  been 
under  the  grcateft  temptstions  to  pride,  if  it  had  beca  pofT.blcfcr 
:my  thing  to  be  s  tcmptaiion  to  him.  The  temptation  of  the  ajjgejs 
t.hat  fell  was  the  dignity  of  thf:ir  nature,  and  the  fconorablrncfa  ^f 

C-h^if  circuai^r.sces  j  bu5  Cb:i/l  F5«  ipfinittJy  laore  boaQrallc  th'irs 

"■ .--...     - '    ^ gj^^^ 


the  Work  o!    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  1  O  N.  155 

they.  The  human  nature  of  ChriA  wai  fo  honored  ai  to  be  in  the 
fame  perfon  with  the  cteraal  Son  of  God,  who  was  equ»l  with  God ; 
and  yet  that  human  nature  was  not  at  all  lifccd  up  with  pride.  Noy 
was  the  man  Chrift  Jcfus  at  ai!  lifted  up  with  pride  with  all  ihofe 
wonderful  works  which  he  wrought,  ot  healing  the  fick,  curirg 
|he  blind,  lame,  a^d  maisied,  ind  raifing  th«  dea^'.  Though 
he  knew  that  God  had  appointed  hie  to  be  the  king  ever  bcavca 
and  earth,  angels  and  men,  as  he  fays,  M^lth.  x'l.  1:7.  *'Jll  thing! 
are  delvvetCv-l  unto  mc  of  nayFaihcr  ;"  tho'  he  kn«w  he  was  fuch  an 
infinitely  honorable  perfon,  and  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal 
with  G  d ;  and  though  he  knew  he  was  the  heir  of  God  the  Father'? 
kingdom  :  yet  fi'ch  was  kis  bumiiity,  that  he  did  sot  difdain  tp 
be  abafed  and  deprclTed  down  into  lower  and  viler  circumfuncts 
and  {uflf;:r!ngi  than  ever  any  other  eled  creature  was  ;  fo  that  he 
became  leaft  of  all,  and  lowed  of  all.  The  proper  trial  and  evi- 
dence of  humility,  is  looping  or  complying  with  thofe  atis  or 
circum fiances,  when  called  to  it,  which  are  very  low,  and  contain 
great  abaftmcnt.  But  none  ever  Aoopcd  fa  low  as  Cbrift,  if  we 
confiicr  either  the  infinite  height  that  he  looped  from, or  the  great 
depth  to  which  he  rtood.  Such  was  his  humiJity,  thai  tbou^h  he 
knew  his  infinite  wortblncfs  of  honor,  and  of  Icing  honored  tea 
thoufand  times  as  much  as  the  hi^hcH:  prince  on  carih,  o?  angel  in 
heaven  j  yet  he  did  not  think  i:  too  much  when  called  to  it,  to  be 
bound  as  a  curfed  malefaftcr,  and  to  become  the  iaughit  g-Hock 
and  fpiliing-ftcck  of  the  vileft  of  men,  and  to  be  ctowacd  with 
thorns,  and  to  have  a  mock  robe  put  upon  hira,  sr.d  to  be  crucified 
like  a  Have  and  malcfa^lor,  and  as  cne  of  the  mcsnefi  and  wcrfl 
of  vagabonds  and  mifcreanti,  and  an  accurfci  enemy  cf  God  and 
men,  who  was  not  fie  to  live  on  earth  ;  and  this  not  for  himfcif,  but 
for  feme  of  the  meancft  and  vilcf:  of  creatures,  feme  of  thofe 
accurfcd  wretches  that  crucified  him.  Was  not  this  a  wonderful 
manifeftation  of  humility,  when  be  chcarfuly  gnd  mofx  freely 
fubmitttd  to  this  abifcm-nt  ? 

How  did  his  patience  rniae  forth  under  all  the  tcrrib'e  fLfTcnngs 
which  he  endured,  when  he  was  dumb,  and  opened  not  his  mouth, 
but  went  as  a  lamb  to  the  Il^ughter,  snd  was  ilkc  a  psiient  lamb 
under  ail  the  fufferings  he  endured  from   firft  to  iafl. 

What  contempt  of  the  glory  of  this  world  w;is  there,  \'>hcn  he 
rather  chofe  this  contempt,  and  meanncfs,  and  fuflcring,  than  to 
wear  a  temporal  crown,  and  be  invcfied  with  the  cxternai  glories 
4|i  an  eartlily  prince,  as  the  multiiuc'c  often  folicitcd  him  ? 

3.  ChriA,  in  the  work  wiii«!i  he  wrought  out,  in  a  wcnderful 
manner  cxercifed  thofe  virtutt  ivhich  mere  immediately  refpeci 
^shr  men,  Thcfc  may  be  fummcd  up  under  two  heads,  v!«. 
fccekDcf?,  aad  love. 


H^  A    HISTORY    of 

Chrsfii's  mcckncfs  wai  his  bumble  calmncfs  of  fpirzt  uadcr  the 
provocations  thai  he  met  with.  None  eye-  met  with  fo  great  pro* 
vocations  ai  he  did.  The  grcataefs  of  prov<,'Cj!ioD  l\v.%  in  two 
things,  vJi,  in  jjjc  degree  of  oppofitbn  by  which  th«j  provocation 
h  given  ;  and,  fccondiy,  in  the  dej^rcc  of  the  unrcafonablcftcfs  oH 
that  oppofition,  or  in  its  being  very  caufalcfj,  and  without  rcafoo» 
vni  the  grcit  degree  of  obngation  to  the  contrary.  Novv,if  we  con- 
fider  both  thcfe  thin^!,  no  man  ever  met  whh  f'jch  provocation*  as 
Ghrift did, whr:n  he  wa?  upon  faith  If  we  ccnfidti  how  much  he  wat 
hate-ii  v?ha!  cbufcs  he  fiiflerfd  from  the  vilcfl  of  men,  bow  great  his 
fviffcrings  from  men  wire,  and  how  fpitefd  and  how  contempJuoui 
they  wzttf  in  offering  him  ih^  f..*  abufcs  ;  and  alfo  confidcr  bow 
cauieiefs  and  unreafon&blc  thef?  abufe»  were,  how  undcfcrving  he 
Wits  of  them,  and  haiv  much  dcfsrvlog  of  the  contrary,  tIz.  of  iove, 
and  honor,  .stjid  good  trcittirj^nt  at  their  b^ndf  ;  i  f^iy^  if  ^c  coa- 
fvhr  thcfe  things,  no  msn  ever  oast  with  a  thcufanKth  part  of  the 
provosatioc  ihsj  ChnC\  met  -.^.'ih  *rom  jnen  ;  and  yet  haw  meek 
,w  5  he  uidf-r  all !  how  ccmpofed  ard  quiet  hl»  fpirit !  how  far  from 
biiag  in  a  rufiL'  and  tuaiult  !  VVhsn  he  was  reviled,  he  reviled  n^t 
again  ;  sad  as  a  (hezp  before  {he,  Or.earers  is  dumb,  fo  he  opened 
cot  his  tnouth.  NDsppcarsEce  iva?  ihrrs  of  a  revengeful  ipi'.h 
on  the  contrary,  wh?.t  a  fphh  of  fof^'vericfs  d*fd  he  erhibit  !  fo 
that  he  fervently  z^\d  cf[r.tlut\\y  prayed  for  their  forgivencfs,  whea 
hey  were  in  Jheh'-pheA  siS.  of  provocation  that  ever  they  perpttratf:.'', 
viz.  nailing  hioi  to  the  crofs  :  Luke  xxlii,  34.  **  Father,  fbrgive 
them  ;  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." 

Ntver  did  rhere  appear  fuch  aji  inHsnce  of  love  to  men,  Ch?lftj 
love  to  mt:i  thil  he  (howcd  when  on  earth,  artd  efptcially  in  go- 
ing through  hh  iaff  fuiicrings,  sni  cilering  up  hb  life  and  foul  un- 
der thofe  fufFerings,  which  was  biigreateft  ad  of  iovc,  was  far  b<5- 
yond  a!l  parallel.  There  have  been  very  rtmajkabie  maDifcflati- 
ons  of  love  in  fon^e  of  the  fsinti,  za  in  the  Apoftlc  P<<uJ,  the  A  pof- 
tlc  John,  and  clhcrs :  but  the  love  to  lacn  that  Chrifl  (l)cwcd  whca 
•on  earth,  as  much  exceeded  the  love  of  all  oibei'  men,  as  ll^s 
ocsan  exceeds  a  UnsM  Dream, 

It  is  to  be  obferved,  that  all  the  virtucf  which  appeared  in  Cbrirt 
Clone  brighicft  in  the  clofe  of  his  life,  under  the  triaU  he  met  with 
ihcn.  Eminent  virtue  always  (i)c>^i  brighiei^  in  the  lire.  Fufc 
gold  fiaowi  its  purity  chief!)'  in  the  furnscc.  It  was  chiefly  undyi 
thofe  trial*  v^hich  Chdft  underwci^t  in  the  clofc  of  his  life,  ihst  hi* 
love  to  God,  his  honor  of  God's  msjefiV,  and  hii  regard  10  tije 
boner  of  his  hw,  and  his  fpirit  of  obedicnc^^,  and  hii  hunrjility,  and 
contempt  of  the  v/crld,  and  his  patience,  and  hii  mcekricfi,  m,d 
his  fpirit  of  forgivcncfs  towards  men, appeared.  Iad«iCd  every  thing 
ihatpirift  did  to  work  cut  redemption  for  ut  appcan  mainly  in  t^e 
clofe  of  his  life.  Here  mainly  is  his  fatiafaOion  for  fin,  and  fce^e 
chiefly  is  his  merit  of  eternal  life  for  fnncrs,  S:  h«rc  cbi^fty  »ppeaf 
the  Uightacfj  ^f  bis  cxair;ple,  wbicj^  hs  hiib  Ut  U5  to  follow, 

1.  H  1/  S 


ifcc  Work  of  R  E  D  EM  P  T  I  O  N.  157 

Vhus  wc  hsvc  tsrkcn  a  brief  vicv?  of  tb*  things  whereby  th* 
j  urchafc  of  reilcmplion'wai  made  wiih  rcfpcd  to  his  right coufneft 

that  appeared  in  ihcm 1  proceed  now, 

§  II.  To  take  a  vicvr  of  ihcni  with  rcfpcft  lo  Xht  fata faH ion  that 
he  ihercb>  made  for  fin,  or  ihc  fujfd ring t  or  kuTsiliation  that  he 
was  the  fiibjcd  of  in  ihcm  on  our  accouut.     And  here, 

I.  He  was  fubjcd  to  uncommon  humiliation  and  fuflerings  in  hrs 
iafancy.  Ke  was  born  to  that  end  that  he  might  die  ;  and  therefore 
he  did  as  it  vrcr«  begin  to  die  as  foon  as  he  was  born.  Fiis  Abiher 
futfcrcd  in  an  urjccmmon  manner  in  bearing  him.  WhdH'liflt  travail 
came  upon  her,  it  ii,faid,  **  there  was  no  room  in  the  inn,"  Luke 
ii,  7,  She  was  forced  to  betake  hcrfcif  to  a  (table  ;  an*ihcrcforc 
Chriit  was  born  in  the  place  of  the  bringing  forth  of  the  beaftf* 
Thus  he  fufTwei  in  his  birth,  as  though  hs  had  lecti  meaner  Ifed 
viler  than  a  man,  and  not  poffcflcd  of  the  dignity  of  the  human 
nature,  but  had  been  of  the  rank  of  the  brute  creatures.  And  wc 
may  eoneludc,  that  his  mother's  circum Ranees  in  other  rcfpcAi 
were  ^roportionably  ftrait  and  dltiiGuIc,  and  that  (he  was  deflitute 
of  the  conveniences  nectffary  for  fo  young  an  infant  which  others 
were  wont  to  have  ;  for  want  of  which  the  new-born  babe  with- 
out doubt  fuffered  much. 

BefiJes,  he  was  perfceutcd  in  his  inftncy.  They  began  to  feek 
his  life  as  fjon  as  he  was  born.  Herod,  the  chief  man  cf  the  land, 
was  fo  engaged  io  him,  that,  in  order  to  it,  he  killed  all  the  chil- 
dren in  Bcthleheas,  ami  in  all  the  coaf^s  thereof,  from  two  yean 
old  and  under.  Chrift  fuffered  banifbmcnl  in  his  infancy,  wai 
driven  out  of  his  native  eountry  into  Egypt,  and  without  doubt 
fuffeied  much  by  being  carried  fo  long  a  journey,  when  he  was  fo 
young,    into  a  ftrsngc  country. 

11.  Chrift  was  fubjecft  to  great  humiliation  in  his  private  life  at 
Nazareth.  He  there  led  a  fervile  obfcure  life,  in  a  mean  labori- 
ous oecup^tion  :  for  he  is  called  not  only  the  carpenter' if  on,  but 
the  carpenter  :  Mark  vi,  3.  **  Is  not  this  tfec  carpenter,  the  bro- 
ther of  l^mes  and  Jofes,  and  Juda,  and  Simon  ?"  He,  by  halrd 
labour,  earned  his  bread  before  he  ate  it,  and  fo  fufTered  that  curfe 
which  God  pronounced  on  Adsm,  Gen,  iii.  13.  •*  In  the  fwe« 
of  thy  face  (halt  thou  eat  bread,"  Let  us  corJlder  how  great  a 
degree  of  humiliation  the  glorious  Son  of  God,  the  creator  of  hea- 
ven and  earth,  was  fubjeft  to  in  this,  that  for  about  thirty  years  he 
jQK)uld  live  a  private  obfcure  life  among  labouring  m*en,2nd  all  thii 
<llile  be  overlooked,  and  not  taken  ootiee  of  in  the  world,  as  more 
<han  other  coarimon  labourers.  Chrift's  humiliation  in  fome  ref*' 
pedis  was  greater  ia  private  life  than  in  the  time  of  his  public  mi- 
oii^/y.  Tiicre  were  many  manifeftationsof  his  glory  in  the  word 
^\e  preached,  and  the  great  miracles  he  wrought ;  but  (he  firft  ihffiy 
r^art  of  his  life  he  fpcne  among  meao  ordinary  menj  33  it  were  ia 

filcnce. 


I5«  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

filence,  wiihoHt  thofs  minifcAations  of  his  glory,  or  any  ihxng  to 
make  him  to  be  taken  notice  of  mere  than  Koy  ordinary  mtchanic^ 
but  only  the  fpotltfi  purity  and  eninenl  hoSIacii  of  his  life  ;  and 
that  \ras  in  a  great  mc^furc  hid  in  obfcurity  ;  fo  that  he  was  lit- 
tle taken  noiicc  of  till  after  his  baptifm, 

III.  Chfi ft  was  the  fubjirCl  oT  great  humiliaiJon  and  fuffcring 
during  his  public  life,  frocn  his  baptifai  till  the  n:gbt  wherein  he 
wasjbttrayed.     A«  parucularly, 

iJ|H[c  fiiffered  great  poverty,  (o  that  he  had  not  "  where  to  Isy  his 
bead,"<^]|l%h.  viii*  20.  andcoaamonly  uf^d  to  lodge  abroad  in  the 
open  aii:,,for  want  of  a  Tnelier  to  bf.take  himfcif  to  ;  as  you  will  fee 
is  manifel^i  if  you  compare  the  folio A'ing  plaoei  together,  which  I 
ihall  but  npone  to  you,  ev«n  M;jtth.  viiJ.  20.  and  John  xviii.  i.  2., 
stftd  LukoxKijf  37.  and  ch.  xxsi.  39.  So  that  whu  was  fpoken  of 
Chrift  in  Gi.it.  v.  2.  **  My  head  is  tilled  vriih  dew,  »nd  my  locks 
with  the  drops  of  the  n:ght,"  wis  liicrally  fulfiled,  Tnrough  hij 
poverty  he  doubtlefa  was  often  pinched  with  hunger,  and  thirft,  and 
cold.  Ws;  rcadjMatih,  iv.  2.  that  ha  was  an  hungrcd  ;  and  fo  agaia 
in  Malt.  xxi.  i3  H's  mother  and  natural  relations  were  poor,and 
not  abl«  to  help  him  :  and  be  was  maintained  by  the  charily  of 
fomc  of  his  difclplei  while  he  lived.  So  we  resd  in  Luke  viii.  at 
»bc  beginning,  of  a  certain  wotnen  that  followed  his,  and  minifler- 
td  to  him.  of  their  fubnance.  fc!e  w?.s  fo  poor,  that  he  was  not 
able  to  piy  the  tribute  that  was  dcaiandcd  of  him,  without  the  mi- 
raculous coming  of  a  fill  to  bria^  him  the  money  out  of  the  fea  in 
hh  mouth.  See  M;Uth.  rviii.  27,  And  when  be  ate  his  laA  paf- 
fover,  it  was  not  at  his  own  charge,  but  at  the  charge  of  anoiherji 
«s  appears  by  Luke  X3:ii.  7,  &-«  F.'om  his  po'^crty  he  had  no 
grave  of  his  own  to  be  buried  in.  ft  wss  the  manner  of  the  JewSj 
unUfs  they  were  very  poor,  aad  were  not  able,  to  prepare  them- 
felv«s  a  ffipulchcr  while  they  lived.  But  Chrilt  had  ao  land  of  bli 
own,  thcup^h  he  was  polTclTor  of  heaven  and  earth  ;  and  therefore 
was  buried  by  Jcfcph  of  Arimathca'a  charity,  and  in  his  own  tomb* 
which  b^.  had  prepared  for  himfelf. 

i.  Hi  fufferd  great  haJred  and  reproach,  He  wat  defpifed 
and  rcjedcd  of  men.  He  was  by  mofi  el^cemed  a  poor  infignifi- 
tant  perfon  ;  oneof  Iltvle  sccount,  flighted  for  his  low  parentage* 
An!^  his  mean  city  Nazareth.  He  was  reproached  at  a  gl'Jtton  and 
drunkard, a  friend  of  publicans  and  finoers ;  wu  called  a  deceiver  of 
the  people;  fometimei  was  allied  a  madman,  and  3S9m.iririan,3nd 
oncpofTefied  with  a  devil, John  vii.  20.  and  viii.  48  and  s.  20.  lie 
was  called  a  blafphemcr,  snd  was  accounted  by  m?ny  a  wizzard,  oi 
ore  that  wrought  mirac'esby  the  black  art,and  communiciiion  with 
Bce^zabub.  They  excommunicated  him,  and  aprced  to  excommuni' 
«ate  any  enaa  that  lliould  own  iiim,  £s,  John  ix,  23.  They  wiihcd 

bi3» 


the  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  159 

l^ita  dead,  and  «rcre  continually  feeking  to  murder  him;  fomctimci 
by  force  and  fomeiimcs  by  craft.  They  often  took  up  ftoncs  to 
fionchim,  and  onccled  hitn  to  the  bro^rofa  hil^l,  intending  tp 
throw  him  dovrn  the  pTecipIce,toda(ltliim  In  pieces  again  ft  the  recks. 

He  wij  ihuj  hated  and  reproached  by  bU  own  vifible  people  r. 
John  i.  1 1.  *  He  came  to  his  own,  ^d  bii  owrt^received  him  n  ot»" 
He  was  principally  dcfpifed  and  hated  by  thofe  who  were  in  chic| 
repute,  their  grcatcft  men.  And  ihe  hatred  wherewith  he  wai 
hated  ysras  general  Into  whstever  part  of  the  land  he  went*,  ht 
met  with  hatred  and  contempt*  He  met  with  thefe  in  Capernaum, 
and  when  he  went  to  Jericho,  when  he  went  to  Jerufalcm,  which 
was  the  holy  city,  wUcn  he  went  to  the  temple  to  worship,  and  al- 
fo  in  Nazareth, .  his  own  city,  and  among  his  own  relations  and 
his  old  neighbours, 

3.  He  fuffercd  the  buffetiags  of  Satan  in  an  uncommon  man- 
lier. -  We  read  of  one  time  in  particular,  when  he  had  a  lorgcon- 
fii<^  with  the  devil,  when  he  was  in  the  wildcrnefs  forty  days,  witb 
nothing  but  wild  beafts  and  devils  ;  and  was  fo  expofed  to  the  de- 
vil's power,  that  he  was  bodily  carried  about  by  him  from  placo  to 
place)  while  he  was  otherwife  in  a  very  fuffering  ilate. 

So  much  for  the  humiliation  and  fuffering  of  Cbrift'r  public  life 
from  his  baptifm  to  the  night  wherein  he  was  betrayed. 

IV,  I  come  now  to  his  laft  humiliation  and  fuffcrings,  from 
the  evening  of  the  night  wherein  he  was  betrayed  to  his  refured^ion* 
Ucre  was  his  greateft  humiliation  and  fuffcriog,  by  which  princi- 
pally he  made  falls  faction  to  the  jufticc  of  God  for  the  fits  of  mc6. 
Firft,  his  life  was  fold  by  one  of  his  own  difciplcs  for  thirty  piecef 
of  filvcr,  which  was  the  price  of  the  fife  of  t  fervant,  as  you  may 
fee  in  Exod.  zxl.  32.  Then  he  was  in  that  dreadful  agony  in  tha 
garden^  There  came  fuch  a  difmal  gloom  upon  his  foul,  that  he 
began  to  bcforrowful  and  very  heavy,  and  faid,his  **  foul  was  ex» 
ceeding  forrowful  even  unto  death,  and  was  fore  amazed."  So 
violent  was  the  gloom  of  hit  foul,  as  to  force  the  blood  through  th» 
pores  of  his  ikia  ;  fo  that  while  his  foul  was  overwhelmed  with  a- 
mazing  forrow,  his  body  was  all  clotted  with  blood.  The  difci- 
ples,  who  ufcd  to  be  as  his  friends  a»d  family,  at  this  time  above 
all  appeared  cold  towards  him,  and  unconcerned  for  him,  at  the 
fame  time  that  his  Father's  faec  was  hid  from  him.  Judas,  to 
whom  Chrift  had  been  fo  very  merciful^  and  treated  as  one  of  hii 
family  or  familiar  friends,  comci  and  betrays  him  io  the  moll: 
deceitful,  and  treacherous  manner.  The  offiesri  annd  foldiers  ap« 
prebend  and  bind  him  ;  his  difciplcs  forfake  bi«i,aDd  flcs  ;  his  owa 
bc^  friends  do  not  ftand  by  him  to  comfort  him  in  this  time  o£ 
liii  d'ditch,    tie  is  led  away  as  a  malefadtor  to  appear  before  the 

V  priefit. 


i6o  A    H  I  S  T  O  n  Y  of 

ptltfii  gnef  fcribes,  h's  vcnoihous,  mortal  enftmics^  iljat  Aey  mighi 
*it  as  bi«  judges  *ho  fat  un  all  night,  to  have  ihc  picafurc  of  InfuU- 
irtg  him,  now  rhty  hid  T^i  hlrn  into  ihcir  hands.  But  bttaufc 
they  aiaced  at  nothing  ftiort  of  his  life,  ikey  fcl  thcmfelvci  to  find 
fomc  colour  to  put  him  to  death,  and  feck  for  witneffcs  againft 
him.  When  none  appeared,  they  fct  foc";  to  bear  falfc  vritncft ; 
ind  when  their  wiinefi  did  not  ajrcc  togetl^er,  then  they  go  to 
ftranji'ning  blm,  to  C£tch  fomcthi»g  out  of  his  own  mouth.  They 
hoped  he  would  fay,  that  he  was  the  Son  of  God,  and  then  they 
thought  they  Ukatild  have  enough.  Bu:  bccaufc  they  fee  they  ara 
not  like  to  obtain  it  without  it,  they  then  go  to  force  him  to  fay 
it,  by  adjuring  hinj,  ia  the  name  of  God,  io  fay  whether  he  was  or 
aoi  :  and  vrbcn  he  confcffcd  that  he  was,  then  they  fuppofed  tbe^ 
had  enough  ;  and  then  it  was  tinac  of  rejoiceing  >*ith  lh«ni,  whicX 
they  fliow,  by  fall'fng  upon  him,  and  fpitutig  in  his  face,  and  blind* 
folding  bim,snd  arikcng  Chiift  in  tU  face  with  ibe  palms  of  thtif 
hand«,  and  then  bidding  him  prophefy  who  it  wan  that  ftruck  him  5 
thus  ridiculing  him  for  pretending  to  be  a  prophet,  *  And  the  rery 
fsTrants  have  a  hand  in  the  fport :  Mark,  xiv.  65.  «'  And  the  fer* 
▼an!s  did  ftrikc  him  with  the  palms  of  their  hands." 

During  the  fuiferings  of  that  night,  Ftfter,  one  of  the  chief  ol 
kis  own  difciplcs,   inilead  of  fkandfng  by  him  to  comfort  him, 
appears  ashamed  to  o>vn  him,  and  denies  and  renounces  him  withr 
•aths  and  curfcs.    And  after  the  chief  priefts  and  elders  had  iiiTilh« 
ed  the  night  in  fo  ilaamefulty  abufirg  him,  when  the  morning  wztf 
come,  which  was  the  morning  of  the  moft  wonderfitlday  that  c- 
ticrwas,  they  led  him  away  to  Pilate,  to  be  condemned  fo  deatK 
by  bim,  becaufc  they  had  not  the  power  of  life  and  death  ia  their 
own  ha.rJs.     He  is  brought  before  Pihtd's  jadgement  feat,  and 
there  the  priefts  and  eldsr*  atcufc  hi.-n  as  a  traito^.     When  PiUte, 
upon  examining  into  the  mattc?,declarcd  he  fcunduo  fault  iri  hini, 
the  Jews  were  bat  the  more  fiierce  and  violent  to  have  him  condemned. 
Upon  whieh  Pihte,  after  clearing  htm,  very  anjuilly  brings  hrm 
vpQn  a  fec&nd  trial ;   and  then  net  finding  any  thing  sgaiuft  hiiff 
Acquits  him  :»galn.     Pifate  treats  him  as  a  poor  worthlefs  f^llbw  j 
but  is  aibamed  on  fo  little  pretence  to  condemn  him  as  a  traitor. 

Then  he  wis  fcnt  to  Herod  to  be  tried  by  hira,  and  tfas  brought 
before  Htrdd's  jndgtncnt-feal ;  and  his  enemies  followed,  aid  vi- 
rulently aeeufed  him  before  Herod.  Herod  docs  not  condemn  him  aif 
a  traitor,or  one  that  would  fet  up  for  a  kif»g,but  looks  upcnhim  at 
Pilate  didiat  a  poor  worthlsfs  cre^ture^not  worthy  to  be  taken  notict^ 
of,  and  do«  bu:  make  a  flocrtt  Iiugb  of  the  Jews  iiecuHng  him  as  a  daa* 
gcrooi  perfon  to  Cajfar,  at  o«e  thtt  was  in  danger  of  fctticg  «p  to  NF 
a  kiag  againfk  him  ;  and  therefore,  indcrifion,  drcfTes  him  up  in  tf 
9i9ck  tab;  and  aiakes  fpoti  of  him^  and  fcadt  bim  baok  through 


the  .Work  of  REDEMPTION,  161 

the   Areeti  of    JemfaUas  to  Pilate  nith  tbe  mock   robe  on. 

Then  the  Jcwi  prctci  B^rabbai  before  him,  and  .re  inftant  and 
violent  v*ith  loud  yaicet  to  Pilate,  to  crucify  him.  So  Pilate,  af- 
Ur  he  had  chared  him  iw'ce,  and  Hciod  once,  very  ucrightcoufly 
b/inji  him  on  trial  «h<  thiidlime,  to  try  if  be  could  not  find  fon'C- 
thing  igaiaft  him  fLfficient  to  ciucify  him.  Chfift  iras  dripped 
and  fcourgcd  :  thus  he  gave  hi«  back  to  the  fmiter.  After  that, 
though  PtUte  lUll  declared  that  he  found  no  fault  in  him  j  yet  fp 
UBJuft  was  he,  that  for  fear  of  the  Je  wi  he  delivered  Chrift  to  be 
cruciried.  Bui  before  they  execute  the  fectcncc,  hii  fpitcful  and 
eruel  enemies  tske  the  plcafure  of  another  fpcll  of  mocking  him  } 
they  get  round  him,  and  make  a  frt  bufinefs  of  it.  They  )\ripped 
him,  and  put  on  him  a  fcarlet  robe,  and  a  reed  in  his  band,  and  » 
crown  of  tboroi  sn  hit  head.  Both  Jews  and  Koman  foldieri  were 
united  in  the  tranfadion  ;  they  bow  the  knee  before  him,  and  in 
deriiba  cry,  "  Hail,  king  of  the  Jewi."  They  fpil  upon  him 
slfo,  and  take  the  reed  out  of  his  hand,  and  fmite  him  on  the  head. 
After  this  they  led  him  away  to  crucify  him,  and  made  him  carry 
his  own  crofi,  till  be  funk  u»dcf  it,  his  Arength  being  fpcnt ;  and 
^h«i  they  laid  it  on  one  Sipion  a  Cytenian. 

At  leogtb,  being  co«»e  to  Mount  Calvary,  they  execute  the  fcn- 
teacc  which  Piiate  had  fo  uitrighteoufly  pronounced.  They  nail 
him  to  bis  crofs  by  |sis  bands  and  feet,  then  raife  it  ere£^,  and  fix 
one  end  in  the  ground,  be  being  Aill  fufpended  on  it  by  the  nsils 
which  pierped  his  hands  and  feet.  Now  Chrift 's  fuiferiogs  arc 
come  to  the  extremity  :  now  the  cup,  which  he  fo  earncftly  prayed 
that  it  might  pafs  from  him,  is  come,  and  he  muA,  he  does  drink 
it.  In  tbofc  days  crucifixion  was  the  moA  tormenting  kind  of 
death  by  which  any  were  wont  to  be  executed.  There  was  no  death 
wherein  the  per  foe  expired  fo  mueh  of  mere  torment  :  and  kence 
the  Roman  word,  which  fignifies  torment,  is  taken  from  this  kind 
ofdecth.^- — Bc6des  what  our  Lord  endured  in  his  excruciating 
death  in  his  body,  he  endured  vaflly  more  in  his  fcul.  Now  was 
that  travail  of  his  foul,  of  which  we  read  in  the  prophet ;  now  it 
pleafed  God  to  bruifc  him,  and  to  put  him  to  gdtt ;  now  he  ;'**  ;r. 
ed  out  hit  foul  unto  death,  as  in  If.  liii.  If  the  mere  forethought 
of  this  eup  made  hioo  fweat  blood,  hosr  much  more  dreadful  and 
^cruciating  muft  the  drinking  of  it  have  been  !  Many  mgrtyri 
Itave  endured  much  in  tbeir  bodies,  while  their  iculs  have  been 
Joyful,  and  have  fungfor  joy,  whereby  they  have  been  frpponci 
under  the  fufTcringsof  their  outward  man,  and  have  triumphed  o- 
ver  them,  $ut  this  was  not  the  cafe  with  Chrift  ;  he  bad  no  fuch 
fuppori ;  but  his  fuflcrings  were  chiefly  ihofi  of  the  mind,  tbo' 
ihe  olhet  were  extremely  great.  In  his  crucifixion  Chr ill  did  no* 
V««t  Uood|  ti  be  bad  bcfcre«  bccaufc  his  blocd  had  vent  cthe^r 

wife 


iCz  A  H  I  5  T  O  R  Y    of     ' 

wife,  and  not  becaufc  his  agony  was  now  not  fo  great.  But  tho' 
he  did  not  fwcst  Mood,  yet  fuch  was  the  fuffering  of  his  foul,  ihat 
probably  it  rent  his  vitals  ;  as  fcems  probable  by  this  that  wUcn 
bii  fide  wai  pierced,  there  csmc  forth  blood  and  water.  And  fa 
here  W38  a  kind  of  literal  fulfilment  of  that  in  Pfal.  xxii.  14.  *♦  I 
am  poured  out  like  wstcr  : — my  heart  ii  like  wax,  it  is  melted  in 
the  micft  of  my  bowels." 

Njvt  under  allihefs  fuff^rings  the  Jews  ftill  mock  him  ;  and 
wag.^ing  their  heads  fay,  '*  Thou  that  dcftroycft  the  te«»ple,  and 
buiidcft  it  in  three  days,  fave  thyfi:lf  :  if  thou  be  the  Son  of  God, 
comedown  from  the  cfofs.'*  And  even  the  chief  pricfts,  fcribes, 
ni5d  ciders,  joined  l\  the  cry,  fayinjj,  *^  He  fs-vcd  others,  himfclf 
he  cannot  fivc."  Prcbsbly  iht:  devil  st  the  f^-me  lime  loraieritid^hirQ 
to  the  utmoft  oftii?  power  ;  and  hence  it  is  faid,  Luke  xxii.  53. 
•*  Xhh  is  your  hour,   and  the  po'ifsr  of  dsrknefs," 

Uader  thefe  fuffsringt,  Chrift  havi  ;g  cried  out  once  and  sgaim 
nilh  a  loud  voice,  at  latl  ht  faid,  *'  It  is  Hn  fhed/'  (Jokn  xfx.  30  ), 
"*  zni  bowed  the  head,  and  gave  up  the  ghoit."  And  thus  was 
finiihtd  the  greatcf^.  and  moft  won^'-cful  thing  that  ever  was  donc^ 
Now  the  angels  beheld  themoil  wonderful  fight  that  ever  thty  faw. 
NoAr'was  accompHilied  the  main  thing;  that  had  been  pointed  at  by 
ihc  various  inrdtutions  ef  the  ceremonial  hw,and  by  all  the  typical 
djfperfatiorjan.d  by  all  thcfacrincca  rromthebcginning  of  the  world* 

Chrifi  being  thus  brought  under  the  power  of  death, continued  un- 
der it  till  the  morning  of  the  nsxt  dsy  bu*  onci  and  then  was  finifbei 
that  great  work,  the  purchafe  of  our  redemption,  for  which  fuch 
j;reat  preparation  had  been  msdc  from  the  beginning  of  the  wo-!d. 
Then  was  liiiifhsd  all  that  was  rf.qulrcd  la  order  to  fatisfy  the 
ihreatcnings  of  the  hw,  and  all  that  was  neceifary  in  order  to  fatisify 
ci i vine juft ice;  then  the  Htmoft  that  vindidivc  juftice  demanded, 
even  the  whole  debt  was  piid.  Then  was  tinifbed  the  whofc  of  the 
purchafe  of  eternal  iife.  Now  there  is  no  aecd  of  any  thing  more 
to  be  done  towards  a  purchafe  of  falvaiion  for  finncri  ;  nor  has 
tvcr  any  thing  been  done  fince,  nor  will  any  thing  more  be  done 
lL#evcr  and  ever, 

I    JM    P    R  .,0    V    E    M    E    N    T. 

N  furveying  the  bi^ory  of  redempdoo,  from  the  fall  of  man  lo 
the  end  of  the  world,  *ir«  have  low  i^aowa  how  this  work  w^j 
carried  ontbrrugh  ihe  two  former  of^hcilbree  main  periods  into 
which  this  nhole  fpacc  of  time  wh«  divided,  viz.  from  the  fall  to 
ihc  incarnation  of  Chrifi,  and  from  thence  to  the  end  of  the  lime 
of  Chiij't'.  ■.  'nlliatioH  ;  and  have  particularly  explained  how  in 
ihefirfi  of  ■  'e  periods  God  prepared  the  way  for  ChrifiB  ap pea?- 
iog  a&d  pttrcfeaHjag  tedqiap^ipo  i  aad  kQVff  ia  the  fccQa4  pcfiQ^o 


ihc  Work  of  R  1  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  165 

that  purchafe  wai  made  and  finidied.  I  would  now  inak«  fome 
iraprovcofient  of  whal  hss  been  faid  or  both  ihcfc  fubjsds  eonfidtf* 
cd  conjun<^Iy.— Thii  I  would  do, 

I.  la  an  ufe  of  reproof. 
-  2i  -In  an  ufe  of  encouragement. 

""  '  Sect.     I, 

IBE  G  I  N  with  an  ulie  of  reproof  ;  a  reproof  •f  three  things  : 
I.  Of  unbelief* 

£.  Offeif-righlcoufneff, 

3.  Of  a  oarelcft  ncgleft  of  the  falvation  of  ChriA, 

I.  If  it  be  as  wc  have  heard,  how  greatly  do  thefe  things  reprove 
thofc  who  do  not  believe  in,  but  rej*(5l  the  Lord  Jtfuj  Chrift  !  i,  e, 
all  thofc  who  do  not  heartily  receive  him.  Pei  fons  msy  receive 
biai  in  profefl[ion,and  carry  well  outwardly  toj^ards  hino,  and  may 
widi  that  they  had  fome  of  thofc  benefits  that  Chri/l  has  purchafcd, 
and  yet  their  hearts  not  receive  Chrifl  ;  ibcy  may  be  hearty  in  no- 
thing that  they  do  towards  Chrift  ;  they  may  have  -1:0  high  tfleem 
of  Chrifl,  nor  any  finccre  honour  or  rcfped  to  Chrift  ;  they  may 
never  have  ppcncd  the  door  of  their  heart  to  Chiift,  but  have  kepi 
hina  fliut  out  all  their  days,  ever  fince  they  firft  beard  of  Chrift, 
and  hiff  falvation  has  baen  offered  to  them.  Though  their  hearts 
have  been  opened  to  others,  their  doors  have  been  flung  wide  ope« 
to  them,  and  they  have  had  free  admittance  at  all  times,  and  havt 
Lficn  embraced  and  made  much  of,  and  the  bcft  room  in  their  hearts 
has  been  given  them,  and  the  throne  of  their  hearts  has  been  allow- 
ed them  :  yet  Chrift  hss  always  been  fljut  out,  and  they  have  bcca 
deaf  to  all  his  knocks  and  calls.  They  never  could  find  an  inclina- 
tion of  heart  to  receive  him,  ndr  would  they  ever  trufl  in  him.  - 

Let  me  now  call  upon  you  with  whom  it  is  thus,  to  confider  how 
great  your  fin,  in  thus  rcjefting  J.fus  Chri/^,  appears  to  be  from 
thofc  things  that  have  been  faid.  You  fiight  the  glorious  pcrion, 
for  \^hofe  coming  God  mad«  fuch  great  preparation  in  fuch  a  fc- 
ries  of  woaderful  providences  from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  and 
whom,  after  all  things  were  made  ready,  God  fcnt  into  the  ivorldj 
bringing  to  pafi  a  thing  before  unknown,  viz.  the  ynion  of  the  di. 
vine  nature  with  the  human  ia  one  pcrfon.  You  have  bcch  guilty 
€f  flighting  that  great  Saviour,  who,  after  fuch  preparation,  sc- 
tualfy  accomplifhed  the  purehafc  of  redemption  ;  and  who,  aftci 
he  had  fpcnt  three  qt  foar  and  thirty  years  in  poverty,  labour,  and 
contempt,  in  purchafing  redemption,  at  lafi  finiffccd  the  purchafe 
by  clofiag  his  life  under  fuch  extreme  fufferirgs  as  you  haveheardj 
and  fo.by  his  death,  and  continuing  for  a  time  under  the  power  of 
death,  completed  the  whole.  This  is  the  pcrfon  you  rcjeft  and  def- 
pifc.  You  make  light  of  all  the  glory  of  bis  pcrfon,  and  of  all 
tlse  gbricus  love  gt  Goi  the  Father^  in  fending  hio)  into  the 

worM 


.|64  4L    JH  I  S  T  O  R  y    9l 

^crldi  fn^  .f^I  hit  wonderful  love  appesriiig  ia  Ihc  whpb 
|(^f  ILbi9  afTair.  That  prtciow  ftoEC  ifcat  God  hach  l*id  in  Zion  for 
k  foundation  in  fuch  a  manner,  and  by  fuch  iBrondfriuJl  .f  t>;ki  ai 
you  have  heard,  is  a  ilonc  fet  at  noughs  by  you. 

Sinnc'i  fomctimes  are  ready  to  ircjidcr  why  the  fin  of  uplpelief 
ihould  be  looked  upon  as/ucb  as  a  great  Cm :  but  if  you  confider 
what  yo'J  have  heard,  how  oan  you  ponder  ?  If  it  bjp  ip,  thai  thif 
i^aviour  if  fo  g^c&l  a  Saviour,  and  tb  s  work  fo  great  a  work,  and 
fuch  great  things  have  been  done  is  ord/r  to  it,  ^ru'y  there  ii  no 
caufe  of  tvonder  .that  the  fin  of  unbcli^,  or  the  reje6lion  of  thii 
Saviour,  is  fpolcen  of  in  fcripturcas  fuch  a  dr^ad'u)  fia,  fo  provok- 
ing to  God*  ^d  what  brings  greater  guilt  than  tl^e  fins  of  t^e  word: 
of  the  Heathen,  who  never  heard  of  fbefe  things,  aer  have  had  thit 
Sav,iour  offered  to  them. 

II  What  has  been  faid,  affords  njaticr  of  reproof  tp  fhofc  whp, 
iwAead  of  believing  in  Chrif^,  iruft  in  ihemfelves  for  falyation.  It 
is  a  common  thmg  with  snen  to  take  It  upon  tbcmfelvei  to  purcbafc 
falvation  for  themfdve?,  an4  fo  to  do  that  gr^at  work  wbichCbrlil 
«3me  into  the  world  to  do.  Arc  there  none  fucji  here  who  trufk  ia 
|heir  prayers,  and  in  ihgir  jgpod  converfatio.ns,  and  thepaini  they 
take  in  religion,  i^nd  the  reforaiation  of  their  lives,  and  in  'heir 
felf'denia!,  to  recofnmcnd  them  to  God,  to  make  fogpe  atonement 
for  their  paft  fiui,  and  to  draw  the  heart  of  God  to  them  1^ 

Confider  three  things  ; 

% .  How  great  a  thing  that  is  which  you  take  upon  you.  Tpi 
take  upon  you  to  do  the  v/ork  of  the  great  Saviour  of  the  world* 
You  truft  in  yowr  own  doings  to  uppcafcGod  for  your  fins,  and 
to  incline  the  heart  of  Qod  to  you.  Though  you  ?re  poor,worth- 
Icfs,  vile,  polluted  worms  of  the  dull  ;  yet  fo  arrogant  arc  you,that 
you  take  upon  you  that  very  work,  that  the  only  begotten  Sop  of 
God  did  when  upon  earth,  and  that  he  became  man  to  capacitate 
himf^lf  for,  and  in  order  to  which  God  fpent  four  t|ioufand  ycart 
in  all  the  great  difpcnfatisns  of  his  providence  ia  the  government 
,of  the  world,  aimiug  chiefly  at  this,  to  make  way  for  Chrift> 
.^oming  to  do  this  work.  Tnis  is  the  work  that  you  take  upon 
yourfelf,  and  foollfbly  think  yourfelf  fu^cient  for  it ;  as  though 
your  prayers,  and  other  performances,  were  excellent  enough  for 
ibis  purpofe.  Confider  how  vain  is  the  thought  which  you  enter- 
tain of  yourfelf.  How  much  fuch  arrogance  appear  in  the  fight  of, 
Chrifl,  whom  it  coil  fo  much  to  make  a  purchafe  of  falvation. 
when  it  was  not  tp  be  obtained  even  by  him,  fo  great  and  glorious 
a  perfon,  at  a  cheaper  rate  than  his  wading  through  a  fet  o£ 
blood,  and  pafHng  through  the  midflof  the  furnace  of  God's  wrath* 
And  how  vain  mufl  your  arrogance  appear  in  the  fight  ofGod,wbeii 
be  fc^  you  ima^ioipg  yourfi:U  fu/Hcioati  9nd  youi  woitblcfs  pol- 

latrd 


tic  WotI:  ot   REVi^'^TlOyf.  i6^ 

iuifed  pcrrormancci  ^xccHcnt  enoO^  for  th6  iteotfjplilTifwg  6f  thit 
work  of  his  6wa  3atJ,  to  prepare  the  w'ay  for  which  he  was  einploy- 
td  in  ordering  ill  the  great  sffairs  of  the  \iotM  fai*  fo  many  agei  I 
2.  If  there  be  ground  fo?  yeu  to  truft,  as  you  rfo,  m  your  own 
tighteoufnefs,  then  all  that  Chrift  did  to  puFchifi  falvation  when 
on  earth,  and  all  that  God  did  ffocn  the  firft  fall  of  i«an  to  that  iFnidT 
to  prepare  the  wsy  for  it.  Is  in  vain.  Tout  fdfi'ighteoufrtefl 
chifgei  God  with  the  grcatcft  fory,  although  he  hsJ  done  all  thftigi 
fn  tain,  cvia  fo  much  in  vain,  ihathcbas  done  aHthis  to  bring 
aboai  an  accoaipliflbtnentof  that  which  ycu  iJone,  a  Utile  worm. 
With  your  poor  polluted  prayers,  and  the  little  pains  you  tak*  ior 
religion,  mingled  with  all  thit  hypocrify  and  filthlncfs,  arc  fuf- 
ficieni  X6  accompHfti  for  yotirfelf  without  Chrift'i  help.  For  it 
you  cati  appeRfcGod'i  anger,  and  can  commendjyourfelf  to  God  by 
thefc  mcsns|thcn  you  have  no  need  o^Chrift;  bur  be  is  dead  in  vaia^ 
Gal.  ii  2t.  "  If  rigbtcoufncfi  come  by  the  law,  then  Cbrift  ii 
tfiead  in  vain. 

If  you  can  do  ihi»  by  our  prayen  and  good  worfci,  Chrift  might 
ktve  fparcd  his  paini ;  he  might  hate  fpared  hi»  blood  ;  he  might 
hire  kept  within  the  bofons  of  hi»  Father,  without  coming  dowrt 
iflto  thiv  evil  world  to  be  defpifed,  reproached,  and  pcrfccuted  t<^ 
death  ;  Ood  needed  net  haved  bufied  bimfelf,  a*  he  did  for  four 
thoufamcf  years  together,  caufing  fo  many  chssgcj  in  the  ftatfc  of  th« 
world  all  that  while,  in  order  to  the  bringing  about  that  which  yow, 
as  little  as  you  are,  can  accomplifli  in  a  few  days,  only  with  ihe 
trouble  of  a  few  fighs,  and  groans,  and  prayers,  and  fomc  other 
religious  performances.  Confidcr  with  ycurfcH  what  greater  folly 
could  you  have  dcvifcd  to  charge  upon  God  than  this,  to  do  all 
thofe  things  before  and  after  Chrift  came  into  the  world  fo  need- 
lefiiy  ;  when,  inftead  of  all  ibis,  he  might  only  have  called  you 
forth,  and  committed  tlie  bufmefs  to  you,  which  you  thiak  you 
fcan  do  fo  eafily. 

Alas  !  how  blind  are  natural  men  f  bow  fottifh  are  the  thought! 
they  have  of  things  !  and  cfpeciaily  how  vain  are  the  thoughts  wbicfai 
^ey  have  of  thcmfclves  L  How  ignorant  of  their  own  littlenefs  and 
pollution  !  How  do  the>  exalt  ihemfclvit  up  to  heaven  ?  What 
great  things  do  they  affume  to  themfelves  ! 

3,  You  that  truft  to  your  own  righteoufntfi,  arrogate  to  your,. 
fclves  the  honor  of  the  greateft  thing  that  ever  God  himfelf  did  ; 
not  only  as  if  you  were  fufficient  to  perform  divine  works*  and  to 
accomplifli  feme  of  the  great  works  of  God  ;  but  fuoh  is  year  pride 
and  vanity,  that  you  are  not  content  without  taking  upoa  you  to 
do  the  very  grtateft  work  that  ever  God  himfeH  wrought,  even  thQ 
work  of  redemption.  You  fee  bow  Gad'§  works  of  provi'> 
denae   arc  greater   tkaa   kit   wvrks  af  •teation,  and  that  aU 


i66  A    HISTORY  of 

6od'i  works  of  providfncs,  from  the  beginning  of  thc^  ge. 
Derations  of  mcD«  were  in  order  to  this,  to  make  way  for  the 
purchafing  of  redemption.  .But  thij  is  what  you  take  upon 
yourfclf.  To  lake  on  yourfelf  to  work  out  redemption,  is  a  greater 
thing  than  if  you  had  tiken  it  upon  you  to  create  a  worM.  Coiifider 
with  yourfclf  what  a  figure  you  a  poor  worm  would  make,  if  you 
(hould  ferioufly  go  about  to  create  fuch  a  world  as  God  did,  (hould 
fwcll  in  your  owa  conceit  of  yourfelf, fijould  deck  yourfclf  with  ms« 
jefty,  pretend  to  fpeak  the  word  of  power,  and  call  an  univerfe  out 
of  nothing,  intending  to  go  on  in  order,  and  fay,  '*  Let  there  be 
light }  Let  there  be  a  firmament,."  &c.  Bat  then  C3nfidcr,tiiat  in  at- 
tempting to  work  cut  redemption  for  youi-fcif»ycu  attempt  a  greater 
thing  than  this,  sad  arc  ferious  in  ir,  and  will  not  be  bea^  off  from 
it ;  but  ftrivc  in  it,  and  are  full  of  the  thought  of  yourfclf  that  ycu 
are  fufficient  for  it,  and  always  big  ftith  hopes  of  accomplifhing  it. 

You  take  upon  you  to  do  the  very  greatcft  and  moil  difficult  part 
of  this  work,  viz.  to  purchafe  rcdempJion.  Chrifl  can  accomplifh 
other  parts  of  this  work  without  coft,  without  any  trouble  and  dif- 
ficulty :  but  this  p^irt  coft  him  his  life,  as  well  as  innumerable  painS 
and  labours,  with  very  great  ignominy  and  contempt  befidcs.  Yc^ 
this  is  that  part  which  felf- righteous  perfons  go  about  to  accomplifh 
for  themfelvcs.  If  all  the  angels  in  heaven  had  been  fufficient  for 
this  work,  wowld  God  have  fet  himfelf  to  elfed  fuch  things  as  he 
did  in  order  to  it,  before  he  fent  his  Son  into  the  world  ?  and  would 
fee  ever  have  fent  his  own  Son,  the  great  Creator  and  God  of  the 
angels,  into  the  world,  to  have  done  and  fuffered  fuch  ihingi  ? 

What  felf-rightcous  perfons  take  to  themfelvcs,  is  the  fame  work 
that  Ghrift  was  engaged  ia  when  he  was  in  his  agony  and  bloody 
fweat,  and  whefl  he  died  on  the  crcfj,  which  was  the  grcatcft  thing 
thai  ever  the  eyes  of  angels  beheld.  This,  as  great  a?,  it  ii,  they 
imagine  they  «3n  do  the  fame  that  Chrift  accomplifhcd  by  it.  Their 
fclf-rightcoufocfs  docs  in  Q^^a  charge  Chrift's  offering  up  himfelf 
in  thefe  fufferiogs,  as  the  grcateft  inftancc  of  fotly  thst  ever  men 
or  angels  faw,  inftcad  of  being  the  moft  glorious  difplay  of  the 
divine  wifdom  and  grace  that  ever  was  feen.  Yea.  felf-rightcoufncfi 
makes  all'that  Chrift  did  through  the  whole  courfc  of  his  life,  and 
all  that  he  faid  and  fuffered  throygh  that  whole  tim».  aid  his  in- 
carnation itfelf,  and  not  only  fo,  but  all  that  God  had  been  doing 
in  the  treat  difpenfattons  of  his  providence  from  the  bcgmning  of 
the  world  to  that  time,  as  all  nothing,  but  a  fccnc  of  the  moft  wild, 
and  extremand  tranfccndent  folly.  r  -  •.  •     r^  - 

Is  it  any  wonder,  then,  that  the  felf.r.ghtcous  fpirit  is  fo  re. 
prefented  in  fcripture,  and  fpoken  of,  as  that  which  is  moft  fatal 
to  the  fouls  of  men  ?  h  it  any  wonder,  that  Chnft  ts  reprefenutd 
Vi  fcripture  as  being  fo  provoked  witii  the  Pharifces  and  others. 


tltc  Work  oF  R  1  D  E  M  r  T  I  O  N.  1^7 

who  truf^cd  in  thcmfelves  that  ihey  were  righteous,  and  were  prouci 
of  ihrir  goodncfs,  znd  ikought  that  their  own  p^rforiaancci  wcrt 
a  valuable  price  of  God's  favour  and  love  ? 

Let  pcrfons  hence  be  warned  againfl  a  fclf  righteous  fpirit4 
Tou  that  are  fccking  your  fa'.v^tion,  and  taking  pains  in  rclgion, 
tzkz  heed  to  yourfelrcs  that  you  do  not  trufl  in  what  you  dc;  that 
you  do  not  harbour  any  fuch  ihoughti  j  that  Gad  now,  feeing  how 
much  you  arc  reformed, howyou  tike  p\:ns  in  religion, and  how  you 
arc  fomitiiaca  cflfcdtcd,  will  be  pacified  towards  you  wiih  rcfpe^ 
to  your  fins,  and  oa  sccount  of  it  will  not  be  fo  angry  for  your  for- 
mer fias  ;  and  that  you  flull  gain  on  him  by  fuch  ihingt,  and 
draw  his  heart  to  Oiow  you  mercy  ;  or  st  Icaft  that  God  ought  to 
accept  of  what  you  do,  fo  ai  to  be  incli^ncd  by  it  in  feme  meafur« 
to  forgive  you,  and  have  mercy  on  you.  If  you  entertain  thia 
thenght,  that  Gjd  is  obligee!  to  do  it,  and  does  not  a{t  jufily  if  he 
refufc  to  regard  your  prayers  and  pains,  and  fo  quarrel  wiih  God» 
and  complain  of  him  for  not  doing,  this  /howsjwhat  your  opinioa 
1$  of  your  own  rightcoufnefs,  viz.  that  it  is  a  valuable  price  of  fal« 
vation,  an4  ought  to  be  accepted  of  G^d  as  fuch.  Such  complain- 
ing of  God,  and  quarrelling  with  him,  for  not  taking  more  notico 
ef  your  righteoufncfs.plain^y  (hows  that  you  arc  guilty  of  all  that 
arrogance  that  has  been  fpoken  of,  tiainking  yourfcif  fuflicicnt  to 
cffsr  the  price  of  your  ewa  falvatbn. 

III.  What  has  been  faid  on  this  fubje<£!:,affords  matter  of  reproof 
to  thofe  who  carclefily  ncglcdcd  the  falvation  of  Chrift  ;  fuch  ai 
live  a  fenfelefs  kind  of  life,  ceglcdihg  the  bufinefs  of  religion  and 
their  own  fouls  for  the  prefent,  not  taking  any  courfc  to  gel  an 
intered  in  Chrift,  •t  what  he  has  done  and  fuffcred,  or  any  part 
in  that  glorious  fslvation  he  has  purchafed  by  that  price,  but  rathcff 
kavc  their  minds  takea  up  about  the  gains  of  the  world,  or  sbout 
the  vanities  and  plcafurcs  of  youth,  and  fo  make  light  of  what  they 
hear  from  time  to  time  of  ChrilVs  falvation,  that  they  do  not  al 
prefent  fo  much  as  feck  after  iti.  Let  me  here  apply  myfdf  t9 
you  in  fome  expoflulatory  interrogations. 

I.  Shall  fo  many  prophets,  and  kings,  and  rightcoua  mea  have, 
their  minds  fo  much  taken  up  with  the  profpcdi,  that  the  purchafe 
of  falvation  was  to  be  wrought  out  in  ages  long  after  their  death  ; 
and  will  you  negledl  it  when  a<5^ually  accompliflieii  >  You  hivt 
beard  what  great  account  the  church  in  all  ages  made  of  the  futurt 
redemption  of  Chrifl  ;  how  joyfully  they  cxpeftcd  it,  how  ihcy 
fpokc  of  it,  bow  they  Audied  and  fcarched  into  thcfe  tl  ings,  how 
they  fung  joyful  fongs,  and  had  their  hearts  greatly  engaged  aboHt 
it,  and  yet  never  eaperted  to  fee  it  done,  and  did  net  cxp^ft  that 
it  would  be  accomplilhcd  till  many  ages  af^er  their  death,  1.  Pe% 
XI*  11*  IS*   ^ow  much  di4  Uaiah  and  DjQicl«  and  other  pro- 

X  phcti. 


iCS  AMIST0RT    of 

pbetJ,  fpiak  concrrnlng  ih's  redemption  !  Ho^  much  were  thti> 
hearts  cngnjcrj,  and  dicir  itrcntion  and  ftudy  fixed  upon  ill  How 
vras  D  ;v«ci'!!  mind  tr^kcn  up  in  in  ihis  fubjed  !  He  declared  that  it 
W5«  all  hi»  fij'vM'ioo,  and  all  his  d -lire  ;  2  Sana,  arxiii.  5.  Ht>w 
did  He  omploy  h?>  voic:  and  hsrp  id  cdcbnring  it,  and  lh«  gloricut 
di/pl^y  of  divlnz  grace  therein  exhiblrc.'?  !  snd  s!I  this  aliho*  ihty 
bcuclfJ  it  not  91  ye;  accompI;(V«cd,  but  fa»y  thsJ  it  was  to  be  brought 
to  pxh  fo  Ic^g  a  timz  after  their  d.^y.— ^—Before  thit,  bovr  did 
Abraham  and  ^h"  ether  patriar'thi  rtjotce  in  »he  profpcdt  of  Chrift'f 
d?jy,  aa:l  th«;  veJe-nption  wMch  he  was  to  p».ir«hafe  !  Even  the  ftints 
brJoffi  th*;  fi:.'o'{  were  aftc(^i«d  snd  ebied  in  lie  •xpe4itax^op  of  this 
g'oiiru?  evc-nt,  thcug'i  it  ^VaS  shea  fo  bag  fuiute,  sad  it  wai  f© 
very   hiinuy  sr^d  ob'tfjrely  revealed  fa  ihcm, 

Nc.y  I'ctfc  thin^^a  tTt  dtdsitd  to  you  as  sduslly  fu^fi'ltd.  Tha 
t>?ni'.ali  now  has  fecn  sccoit^pUQeed  ail  ihofc  gf€*t  things  which  they 
fcvjoyftjiiy  piophttficd  of  ;  and  you  are  abundactly  Ihown  how  thofe 
things  we»«  Kccompl'f^ecJ  :  Miith.xiii.  17,  *'  Verily  I  fay  ucro 
you,  tbxi  taj-ny  prophets  and  righteous  men  have  dcfitcd  te  fee 
thofe  things  wbiuh  je  ke,  arjd  hsvc  not  fa^rn  ;  and  to  hear  thofo 
thiiij^f  yi/hUci  y<^.  hear,  ami  have  not  heard  fhem/'  Yet,  whca 
th"»'c  thing*  ?fe  thm  sbundrir.dy  f-^t  before  you  as  already  acccm  • 
pA^cd,  h-y-A-  do  ycu  flight  them  !  How  sight  do  you  msk«  of  ihcQi  I 
H:>w  iitilc  are  ihty  t;^kcn  notice  of  by  you  !  How  urconeerDcd 
are  ycu  about  thcm^  foUo^irjg  0'h«r  thtr-gi,  and  not  fo  much  as 
feeling  sny  irtercCi  \n  \hcai  !  Indeed  ycur  fin  is  estrcmely  s^ga- 
Vited  ii\th:  fig'ii  of  God,  Gori  has  put  yeu  n^iicr  great  sdv^rtsgc 
lor  vour  titcfnai  f -i.Ivatbn,  far  greater  ih&Ti  vhof*  f-inrs  of  old  «n- 
joyed.  Hi  b38  P'-'i"  ycu  under  a  more  ploiicusdirpeafiUou  ;  h«t 
given  you  a  more  clear  rcvelutLon  of  Chri;^  xnd  his  falvation  ; 
and  yet  yeu  iicg'c6i  aii  thcfs  advsnt^ges,  snj  ga  on  irx  a  carcicfs 
cou^fc:  of  life,  a»  though  noihisg  hsd  been  done,  uo  fuch  propofal* 
and  ofY^n  hsd  been  mide  you. 

^..  Have  ih2  angles  b;en  {9  engaged  abciit  this  fa^vatjon  which 
?3  by  Chiift  tvur  fincc  th«  fall  of  man,  though  they  are  uot  im- 
mediiitily  concerned  ia  it,  and  wi!!  you  who  n?cd  it,  and  have  it 
©ff.:ie.i  to  you,  be  (o  carc^cfj  about  it  ?  Von  have  heard  kcw  the 
angbs  St  fiift  were  fjbjcfled  to  Chnft  at  meviaJor,  and  how  they 
hive  aU  slmg  b«cri  muiiifltring  fp'ritsto  him  in  this  sffair.  In  «1J 
the  grent  drfpenfations  which  you  h^ve  heard  of  from  ifee  begin - 
ring  of  t>^e  worH;  they  have  been  a«^Hvc  and  as  a  fl^nae  of  fire  in 
this  affair  being  mofi  diligently  employed  si  mlniftring  fpirits  to 
miniftertoChr?ft  in  this  grentaffurof  man's  redemption.  And  whea 
C'ir:ft  c.rae.howcngaged  nerc  their  mindtlTh^y  came  toZ icharirt?, 
to  informeihina  of  the  comi-g  of  Chrift's  forefunner  :  Tbcy  came 
to  ibtVirginMiry, to  inform  her  ot  the  spproaching  birth  o<Chru1: 

They 


Ae  Wo.k  of   R  E  D  JE  M  P  T  I  p  N.  169 

tfee  rcw  born  Saviour,  and  to  point  out  to  him  the  wesns  of  f?:fe- 
ty.     Haw  were  ihcir  miuds  engaged   at  ihe  time  oi  the  binb   of 

-  Chrift  !  Tnc  vrhoie  mu  tituJc  oi  trie  hca  'cnly  hoi\%  fang  priiks 
tipon  the  occafian,  faying,  ••  Glory  to  God  in  the  highcft,  -nd  on 
o<iiftb  peace,  xnd  good  will  towardi  men."  Afterward!,  fiora  lime 
to  time,  they  mmiftvrcd  to  Chrifi  when  on  earth  ;^thcy  Q  d  io  at 
the  lime  of  his  temptation,  ?.t  the  time  oi  his  cgony  in  t.'^c  garden, 
at  hi«  rcfurfcdion,  and  at  hia  afcenllon.     All  thcfc  things  fhow, 

'  that  they  were  gieatly  er.gn^tdla  this  affair  ;  snd  the  fcr.'pturc  in- 
forms ns,  that  Jh*y  fry  inta  ihsic  ihin  s  :  1  Pi:t.  i.  12.  ♦*  Which 
lhi&f;i  the  angles  difi.M  to  lock  into,"  Ho*./  are  ihcy  rcprcfcntcd  in 
chc  Revdallon  as  being  employed  iu  lieaTsn  rmgirgpraifes  to  I'lax 
that  fitttih  on  the  ihronr,  and  to  the  Lamb  !  Now,  (ti&U  ihtft: 
talc  fo  much  ■otici;  of  ihis  itdcaiption,  and  of  ihe  parcharerjuho 
riced  it  nc>t  for  thcmfelvc*,  and  h;ivc  no  Imsitdijiic  concern  or  in- 
tercft  in  it,  or  offer  of  it ;  and  v.i!i  you,  to  who*  it  is  cffwicd^and 
who  are  in  fucb  cxticme  ncccffity  of  it,  negli^l  ar^d  ukc  lo  no- 
tice of  ii  ? 

3,  Was  it  worth  the  while  for  Chri.'^  to  labour  fo  hard,  ?nd  do 
indfufTer  fo  ffiiich  to  procure  this  filvaticn,  and  is  it  not  worth 
the  while  for  you  to  be  at  fome  labour  in  fceking  it  ?  W«s  it  a 
thing  of  fo  great  importance,  thst  fa  vsiion  faou'd  be  procuicd  for 
fianCiS,  ai  that  it  was  worthy  to  Jie  withfuch  weight  on  the  n:in(4 
of  Chrift,  as  to  induce  him  to  become  man,  ted  to  fLffsr  fi.ch  con- 
tempt and  labo'jr,and  ctea  death  itfeif,  in  order  to  prccutc  it, 
though  he  ftood  in  need  of  nothing,  though  he  wis  lifc.;;  to  gJn 
HO  addition  to  his  eternal  hsppircfs,  iLoi^h  he  couM  get  r:cihi::g 
by  thofc  that  he  favtd,  ihcugh  he  did  not  need  ifccm  ;  was  it  of 
fuch  im^jortatice  that  =  nncrj  fhould  be  faved,  thai  he  might  pro- 
peily  be  induced  to  fubmilto  fuch  humiHation  zrA  fLfTcring  ;  srcJ 
yet  is  it  not  worih  the  while  fo/  you,  who  arc  one  of  thc.fe  mlfcrz- 
b!e  fiiincrs  that  need  this  falvation,  and  mtft  pu'ifa  cfernaHy  with- 
out ir,  to  take  earneft  pains  to  obtaia  an  iiitcicii  in  it  aiicr  if  is 
j»fv/i^;cdp  2nd  ::!l  thing?  are  ready? 

4,  Shail  the  G.eat  Gad  be  fo  concerned  about  this  f^Jvation, 
cs  fo  often  to  ovcjtu^o  the  world  to  m.kc  way  for  it  j  snd  whea 
all  is  done,  is  it  not  wo-th  your  fctkeng  after  ?  hew  has  (h 
Lord  of  Kravcu  and  cartel  been  as  it  were  engaged  abou«  this  af- 
fair !  Woat  great,  what  wonderfu!  ihing-  Iuj  he  d.ne.  fiom.  odc 
rgclo  anotbi.!-,  rc«oving  kings,  andifittcnv;];  up  ki'.gs  rsili-.g  up  a 
great  numhtr  of  prcphtls,  ftpiratino;  a  diflif«^t  r^Uon  t.om  tie 
left  of'the  world,  ovcrturnsfg  one  Laticn  and  kingdcra,  sr,d  ^feo- 
Cher,  and  oftin  ovcriurnicg  the  ftstecf  tie  woilo  ;  and  lo  has  con- 
tinued briogirg  about  one  ch.^rge  aj.d  revolution  after  arx  bcf 
fpny  ctiiiurics  in  fuccsiTion,  to  mike  way  for  tie  pic-rur'ry  of 


17®  ,A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T  of 

f-lvq\t0n  f  And  wh-n  he  ha*  done  all  ;  a?>d  when,  at  tht  : 
cii'.fc  of  tK«fe  ages,  the  great  S.viour  comes,  and,  becoming 
iucarnatc,  and  paifiDg  ihicugh  a  Icng  feriea  of  repra?.cb  and 
fuffcfing,  and  thsn  ftffcring  all  the  warej  and  biiiows  o{ 
God's  wra'.h  for  mens  fins,  infoinuch  that  they  ovcrwhtlmci 
his  foul  ;  aficr  all  thefe  thinga  done  « o  procure  folvaiicn  for  Hn- 
ncrs,  is  h  not  worthy  of  }our  taking  fo  much  notice  of,  or  being 
fo  much  coiicerncd  sbaut,  though  you  srt  thofepsifons  who  need 
ifna  fa.-Yation,  but  that  ii  fhould  be  Uiro^yn  by,  ancj  miitJcDoshiig 
of  in  coaipiiifon  of  worldly  g"^ in,  or  gay  clothiicg,  or  youthful 
ciivc"fiaa3,  andoebcrfuch  trifJ-j^g  things? 

O  !  ihat  you  who  Hve  ntg5ig*nt  of  this  falvatlon,  would  confi- 
^er  what  you  do  !  What  you  have  heard  from  this  fubj-dl,  may 
i^.O'-v  you  what  reafon  there  is  in  ^ha;  exdamaiion  of  the  Apof^lc, 
llch.  ii.  3.  •*  How  fti^Ii  r.-e  cfcaps  ifwc  ECgkdl  fo  great  falvati- 
on  T'ani  in  ih3t,^(fis  sUi,  41.  **  B«hold,  yc  dcfpifers,  and 
wonder,  2nd  pcrifh:  for  1  work  2  irorkioyour  days  a  work  whicil 
you  fjiali  in  do  wif<:  bciicve,  though  a  man  declare  it  unto  you."  " 
God  locks  on  fuch  as  yen  «p  f/^^^  enemies  of  the  crofs  of  Cbrill, 
s^d  adrcrfatics  and  d^ipifirs  ot  &)\  the  glory  of  this  great  work.  If 
Goi  his  nasde  (ao^  <^«coual  of  the  gicry  of  faivaiion  as  to  dei^roy 
nia»y  naticnSjand  (o  oixn  ovc.-turn  ?}}  n2S*ons,to  pi f pare  the  way  - 
f-sr  the  glory  «i  his  $*n  in  ihia  affair ;  bow  \h\lc  account  will 
he  make  of  the  Viva  and  f::uJs  of  ten  shoufand  fuch  oppofer§  and 
^cfpifgrs  as  you  lh?t  continue  impen'tcnt,  ia  compsrifonof  thai 
glory  when  he  fiiaii  hcreafttr  come  sni  fi  idthat'your  welfare ilandi 
Is  the  ^ay  qf  ^that  glory  >  Why  furcly  you  (ball  be  daHbtd  to 
pieces  83  a  potter's  veffei,  aad  trodden  down  as  the  aire  of  the 
ftrecls.  Gid  may,  through  wonderful  patience,  kcar  with  hard- 
C'.ed  carclcfs  fiiners  for  a  vrhiJc  ;  but  h^'  will  no:  long  bear  with 
fuch  defpifcrs  of  hisckarSon,  and  bis  grea?  falvation,  the  glory 
of^ which  he  hai  hsd  fo  much  at  heart,  bcfoic  he  will  uiwrly 
confume  tham  without  remedy  or  mercy. 

Sect.     II. 

J  WILL  conclave  with  a  feoond  ufc,  of  en^ruragemenl  ro  b«F- 
dened  fouls  to  put  their  truft  in  Chrift  icr  hU^tion,  To  all 
fuch  as  are  not  carelefs  and.negligent,  but  do  ni^.kc  fecking  an  in- 
terc/t  in  Gbrirt  ihcir  main  bufiiefs,  being  fcnfiblc  in  foBit  meafurc 
«)f  their  neccflity  of  an  intercft  in  Chrift,  being  afraid  of  the  wrath 
to  com!; ;  to  'uch  what  has  been  faid  on  ^bis  fuKj^dl  holds  forth 
great  m.^^cr  of  encouragemtnt,  to  come  and  rcnturc  their  fouls  oa 
the  Lord  JcfusChrirt  :  and  as  motives  proper  to  excite  you  fo  to 
do,  let  me  icad  you  lb  confir'er  two  things  in  particular. 

1.  The  ccmpktencl:-  of  thepurchafe  which  hss  been  »ade.    Aj 
|eu  bars  hssr^,  ibis  wcik  of  puithaf  rg  falvisica  was  wholly 

ifllttei 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  1  O  rf .  i?* 


■k 


jiaifl»cd  during  the  tim«  of  Ckri^'i  kuaiilialion.  When  Chrift  rofe 
fsK'Oi  «hc  dcHJ,  and  v*^»  cxallcd  trom  that  ab^fcmcnt  to  which  htt 
fubmi'ted  for  our  fxlv-ticn,  ihc  purchife  of  ctem-I  li^e  wr.a  com- 
pletely mddc,  fo  that  there  was  no  need  of  any  thing  wicrc  co  be 
done  in  order  to  ir.  But  now  :hcfc<vauts  w<.rc  fcrit  for»h  with 
th«  meff-gc  which  wchavc  accouot  of  in  MAiih,  xxii,  4.  **  Be- 
hold, I  have  p  eparcdmy  dinucr  :  my  oxen  and  my  fauHrgs  art 
kilied,  and  all  thingi  arc  r«ady  :  com^  uni;.>  the  marriage."  There- 
fore all  things  being  ready,  ate  your  fins  many  and  great?  Here 
11  enough  done  by  Chriil  to  prcctuc  their  pardon.  There  is  no 
need  of  ary  righfeoufaefs  of  ycurs  to  obtain  your  pirdon  and  juf- 
tiiicalion  :  no,  ycu  May  come  frteiy,  without  money  and  without 
price,  liticc  ihCiefoiC  there  it  fiiih  a  free  and  gracious  invitatioa 
giTcn  you,  come  ;  co»c  naked  as  you  are  ;  comt  ?.s  a  poor  con- 
demned criminal ;  come  and  caft  youi  fdf  do'^n  at  Chnfl's  feet, 
SB  OEcjuf^Iy  condemned,  and  utterly  hc'pkfs  in  yourfclf.  Here  U 
a  complete  fslvaticn  wrought  cut  by  Cfcrill,  and  ihrongh  hiaa 
offered  to  yoj.    Coins,  therefore,  accept  of  it,  and  be  favcd. 

2.  For  Chfift  to  rej^^fl  one  that  thus  comes  I©  him,  would  b«  t^ 
fr-rtrate  all  thofs  g^e^t  things  which  you  hsve  heard  that  Goi 
brought  to  pafs  from  the  fall  of  mm  to  the  incarnation  of  Chrift» 
It  would  alfo  frudrate  ail  iha»Chiift  did  and  fiiflcred  while  on  earth; 
yea,  it  would  frufiraic  the  iiicainsdcn  of  Chrii*^  iifcif,  and  all  the  , 
great  things  done  in  prcpiratipn  for  his  incarnauon  ;  for  all  ihcfs 
things  were  for  that  end,  that  thofc  might  be  favcd  who  (fcouM 
corns  to  Chrif^.  Therefore  ycu  msy  be  fur e  Chrift  will  not  be 
backward  in  fivir.g  thofs  who  come  to  hits,  s^nd  truft  ift  him  :  foi 
hf  h28  no  dtfire  to  iTufti&rt  himfcif  in  hia  owrj  work  ;  it  cofl  hiot 
too  dear  for  that.  Niither  wJll  God  the  F.  rher  refufe  you  ;  fof 
be  has  no  dcf^c  to  fruftratc  bimfdf  h-i  all  that  he  did  for  fo  mwf 
hundreds  and  ihonfanis  of  yc2r«..  to  prepare  the  wry  for  the  fal- 
vaiion  of  finDcrs  by  Chiift.  Come,  therefore,  hcaikriD  to  lh« 
fwcet  sLTid  earned  C5!ls  of  Chrii^  to  your  fou!.  Do*  as  he  ia^irei, 
and  as  he  com^mndg  you,  Matth.  xi.  28.  29.  59  •*  Ccia^  un- 
to rae,  all  ye  th^tkbcu^  and  are  he^vy  iaden,  snd  I  will  fjMw 
you  rcfl.  T  ke  my  yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me  ;  and  vc  (halt 
find  re/1  uaio  your  fouls.  For  my  yoke  is  eafy,  an;i  aiy  Lurdca  is 
light." 

PERIOD      III. 

IN  dif«ou-rfing  on  this  fubte^,  we  have  already  (hown  how  the 
'York  of  redcriipii,^'-.  wai  canlci  on  through  the  two  iinl  o.'thfi 
three  periods  into  which  we  diviried  tSc  whok  fpicc  of  tirae  front 
the  fall  to  the  end  of  the  world  j  and  we  arc  now  ccwe  tv-^ 

The  third  and  U-ft  period,  b^girnirgwilh  Cbrifi's  rtfiTfcdion, 
and  reaching  to  the  enjd  of  the  world  ;  and  would  corr  ihcvy  how 
this  work  v>as  ajfocujiicd  en  ihicigh  this  fcnc4,  ^fotn  this 


>7t  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T  of 

PRCfosiTioH,  That  the  fpace  ofiime  fiom  tli© 
end  of  Chri/rs  hiuniliatioii  to  tlic  end  ol'the  worid 
15  all  taken  up  bringing  about  the  great  effect  or 
ihcccfs  of  Chrid's  pinchafKr. 

Not  but  that  there  were  great  ea:6ls  and  g^orioui  fucccfs  of 
ChriA'j  purchafi  of  rcdempdon  before,  even  frcra  the  beguming 
of  the  generations  of  men.  Eut  all  that  fucccfs  cfChrifi's  rcdcrapdoa 
which  W8S  bciorc,  was  Oh\y  prcparalory,  snd  was  by  '.-yay  of  an- 
ticipation,as  feme  few  fruits  src  gathsrcd  before  the  h&rvcft.  There 
was  no  more  fucscfs  beforcCDfill  came  ihiinGod  fsw  needful  toprc- 
p«rclhc  "-ay  for  his  or-mJng.  The  proper  t:rac  of  ihc  fuc^tfsor  eftlft 
ofChrift's  purehifeof  rs Jcgnptioii  is  af«cr  th?  purchafchas  been  made, 
as  the  propcf  time  for  the  worH  tocrjoy  ib«  Iigh«of  tke  fun  is  day- 
tiaifj  afj«r  the  fun  U  rifcn/.ho'we  may  have  fcms  fm:41  matter  of  it 
r«:fl?<5lc-Jffocn  the  moon  3^  planets  bcfcrc.  Ertn  tha  fiicccfi  cfChrifi't 
redemption  while  he  himfelf  was  ca  earth,  was  very  fwali  in  eom» 
pirifon  of  what  it  was  after  th«  coRclufion  of  his  humiliation, 

Sttt  Chrift  having  finifhtd  that  grirateft  and  mo«l  difficult  of  all 
worki,  the  work  ol  the  pu'chsf*  of  rcdeiaptiofj,  riow  h  come  the 
time  for  obtaiiiing  the  end  of  iv,  the  g'ot ious  cffidi  of  h.  This  is 
the  next  work  he  gees  sbout.  Having  gone  thro'  the  whole  ccurfc 
©f  his  fufferings  and  humtllsiicn,  there  h  aa  end  to  all  ihiagt 
of  ihatntture  :  he  is  never  ;o  ftfT-r  any  tacre.  But  now  is  the 
time  for  birr,  to  obtain  the  joy  that  was  fct  before  him.  Having 
laade  his  foul  01  cffciing  for  fin,  now  13  the  time  for  him  to  fee 
feis  feed,  and  to  have  a  portion  divided  to  him  with  the  great,  and 
to  divide  the  fpcii  with  the  f^rong. 

Oa«  dcfign  of  Cfcrift  in  what  he  did  ia  his  humiliation,  waf  to 
lay  a  foundEUCJi  for  the  OTcrthrow  cf  Satan's  kingdom  ;  and  novr 
is  ccme  the  lime  to  cffe£l  it,  asChrift,  a  liul«  before  his  crucifixion, 
faid,  John  xii.  31.  "  Now  h  the  judgement  of  this  vforld  i  now 
fl^all  the  prince  of  this  wodd  be  caft  out."  Anothtr  dt%n  was,  to 
f»ather  t«^^gcth€r  in  ofte  all  things  in  Cbrifr.  Now  it  coa\e  the  lio^e 
for  this  alfo  :  John  211  31.  **  And  1,  if  1  be  lifted  up,  will  draw 
el!  men  unto  mc  ;"  which  is  agfceabl*  tojACcb't  prophecy  of  Chrift, 
thai  **  when  Sfilhk  ftjoa!d  come,  to  him  fi-iou^d  the  gsthcriog  of 
the  people  be,"  Gen,  slix,  10  Ano;hcr  dcfign  i?  ite  falvation 
cf  the  cicd.  Now  when  his  fufTcrings  are  fin;fl.td,  end  his 
liumiliation  is  pcrfe£led,  the  time  is  come  for  thai  slfo  s 
lisb.  V.  8.  9.  *'  Though  he  were  a  Son,  yc\  learned  he  obedience 
by  the  things  which  he  fufifcrcd  :  and  bciog  raadf  perfcdi,  he  be- 
came the  amhor  of  eternal  falvation  unto  41  iham  that  obey  him." 
Ano-her  defigs  was,  to  acc<smpUft»  by  thcfe  things  great  glory  to 
ih^  pel  fons  of  tht  Trinity.  Now  alfo  is  come  the  time  for  that  : 
I^a  zvii.  1.  *•  Father,  ibc  b9W  "  com*  j  thtify  iby  Son,  that 


U-^  Work  cf  &ESEMPTION.  »7S 


thy  Son  slfo  aay  glorify  thee."  Ancthcr  dcfign  was  the  gl®ry  d 
the  faints.  No*v  is  the  tim?  aifo  for  this :  **  John  xvii.  2.  "At 
thou  haAg^iTcn  him  power  owrailflaCi,  thatbt  fhould  gi?e  ctcr* 
nij  life  to  31  maay  as  th.u  haft  glvca  him."  And  all  iht  difpcn^ 
fafions  of  God's  prcvid«ncc  henceforward,  even  ta  the  final  «on* 
fummalic4.  of  2llthinj;sa»^c  to  give  Chrift  hit  reward,  end  fulfil 
his  end  in  whvt  he  did  2nd  fufT^jcd  upon  tarth,  aod  to  fulfil  tk« 
joy  tkat  WIS  fet  before  hioi. 

INTRODUCTION. 

BEFORE,  I  enter  on  the  confidsration  of  any  particular  thingf 
ac«ompIifh-d  ia  thii  period,  I  wotald  briefly  obfcrvc  fomt 
things  in  genes al  concerning  it  ;  and  particulafly  kow  ihc  tlnKi  %i 
this  period  are  Kp;efeatcd  in  fcripturc* 

I.  Tkc  iim-:a  of  this  period,  for  ih?  moft  part,  are  ihofe  which 
IB  the  OUi  Tcftai«»Tjl  «c  called  ih  lattsr  days,  Wc  often,  in  th« 
prophets  of  the  Old  Terjimant,  read  ef  fiich  and  fuch  things  tkat 
fcculdcom*  tftpafs  U  the  latter  dayt,  and  fo»«timcs  in  tht  lajt 
dayu  Njw  thcfe  catptclTions  of  the  prophets  arc  moft  commonly 
to  be  uoderi^ood  of  the  time*  of  the  period  that  we  ire  now  upon« 
They  are  cilleJ  tht  latttr  days,  and  ihelaji  days  ;  beeaufs  thit  it 
the  laft  pr'  iod  of  the  ferica  ot  Gcd'a  providences  on  earth,  ihia  laft 
period  of  that  great  wo.  k  of  providence,  the  work  of  redemption; 
whieh  as  it  were  the  fum  of  ©od's  works  of  providence,  the 
ti«e  whe'ein  the  church  is  under  the  laft  difpenfatioa  of  the  co«- 
vcnant  of  gr^ce  that  ever  it  will  be  under  on  eirlh. 

II.  The  whole  time  ot  ihi?  period  is  fomctimei  in  fcripturc  cal- 
led the  end  cf  the  world,  ss,  i  Cor.  2.  1 1.  •*  Now  all  thefe  tbingf 
happened  unto  them  for  enfamples :  and  ihcy  were  written  from 
our  a>-d monition,  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  arc  come." 
And  the  Apoftle,  Heb,  ix.  26,  in  ihiscxprcflioa  oi  the  end  of  tlf 
•vcorld,  means  the  who!e  of  the  gofpic  d-iy,  from  the  birth  of  Chrift 
to  the  finilhing  of  the  day  cf  judgment  :  **  But  now  once  in  the 
end  of  the  world,  ha:h  he  appeared,  to  put  sway  fin  by  the  facri- 
fice  of  hirafclf'"  This  fpace  of  lioQ!;  m^y  well  be  called  tha  tndof 
the  werld :  for  thii  whole  time  was  taken  up  in  bringing  thitgs  to 
their  great  end  and  IlTue,  to  that  great  iffuc  ihst  God  bad  been  pre- 
paring ihcwsy  for,  'u\  ali  the  great  difpenfations  of  providancc, 
from  the  firi^  fall  of  m^n  to  this  tine.  Befare,  things  were  in  a 
kind  of  prtparitory  ftate  ;  but  now  they  are  in  a  fini&ing  Aate* 
It  is  the  winding  up  of  things  which  is  all  this  while  accompliflaing. 
An  end  is  now  brought  to  the  former  carnal  Hate  of  things, whick 
by  degrees  vaniihes,  and  a  fpiritual  ftatc  begiai  to  b«  eftabllibci, 
and  to  be  cftabliflied  more  and  more.  Firl\,  an  end  it  brought  to 
the  former  f^ate  of  the  tkurch^  which  nay  be  called  iu  worldly 


174  A    H  I  $  T  O  R  r     of 

ftaie,  tht  liatc  whereia  it  was  fubjc<f^  to  carnal  ordinancej,  ani 
ihcrudlaicntj  of  ihc  world  :  and  then  in  end  vraii  b-ought  to  the 
Jcwtfii  I'isiic,  In  thcdiftrMfticn  of  their  city  snd  country,  and  then, 
aftcnhat,  an  end  is  brought  to  fh«  old  Heathen  empire  in  Coii- 
Ikantini'c  tjms  ;  ;vhich  is  anothif  and  further  degree  of  the  wind- 
ing up  ^r;d  fii'ihirgr^of  the  world  :  aad  the  BCxt  f\cp  is  the  fia- 
ifhin^  of  SaUn'»  vifib]*  k'rgicm  in  the  world,  upon  lUc  fall  of 
Anlichi  LI,  and  the  calling  of  the  Jews  :  and  hit  will  come  lh« 
iIcftru<fiion  of  the  outward  frame  of  the  world  itfclf,  at  the  co^clu- 
fon  of  th'^  d^y  ofjjJgias.-it,  Bat  the  world  is  aU  thii  while  a?  it 
were  a  fini;hirq,tho'  it  cornea  to  aiend  by  fcveral  fieps  and  dtg-ees, 
HcaYci!  snd  bvrth  bfg»n  to  fhike.in  order  to  a  dJffo]!utio»,  acced- 
ing to  »h«  propKtey  of  Haggai,  before  Chrift  came,  that  foor.iy 
tfeefe  thingi  that  cannot  be  ilia  ken  may  remuin  i.e.  tkat  thofe 
thiogs  th'itafc  to  comcio  an  end  m^y  tcmc  to  anend,  and  that 
©nly  thofc  ihJnge  may  remain  which  arc  to  remain  to  r?I  eternity* 
So,  ill  \b.9  fi.ft  p?sce,  the  cnrnal  ordinances  cf  the  Jewifli  wor- 
fhip  «aiiie  to  an  end, to  rcekc  w^y  for  jhc  efr£bi.fx;mcn!  of  ihat  fpf- 
tituai  worfw^p,  »he  worlbip  of  the  heart,  which  ii  to  ondure  to  a't 
•tcrnlty  :  Joha  iv.  21.  *'  J^fua  faith  unto  the  woman.  Believe 
mt,  the  hourcomcsh,  when  ye  fliAli  neither  in  this  mountain,  nor 
yet  at  Jerufiieoj,  wo?fmp  the  Father/'  'Verf.  23  "  Bu»  ^i<& 
iour  Cometh,  and  no>,y  ib,  r;bcn  the  true  ^-offtilppcrs  (bill  woffiil;j 
ibc  Father  in  fpjrtt  and  io  J^'U'h  :  f«r  the  Faihcr  fctkcih  fuch  t» 
woifhip  him."  Thii  is  one  inBarxe  of  tic  tsmpcrary  worlu'g 
coming  to  an  end,  and  the  fiternal  wor!d*«  bcgEnnbg.  After  thai, 
Ihc  oulw.ird  temple,  and  th«  otnwatd  city  Jerufalcna,  csme  to  an 
tnd,  to  give  place  to  the  fining  up  of  the  fpiritual  temple  and  the 
fpiritu?.!  city,  which  are  to  hd  to  eternity  j  which  U  another  in- 
ftance  0/  rcjs?07ing  th.">f«:  thingi  which  arc  ready  to  vanifh  a'A'ay, 
that  thofe  things  which  cannot  be  (luken  rmy  remain.  After  that 
the  old  Hiathen  empire  ccnr\cs  to  aa  end,  to  tnske  way  for  the  •m- 
pirc  of  Chrift, which  (hsH  Uh  to  all  eternity  ;  which  i«  another  P«ji 
of  bringing  the  teaiporal  world  to  an  end,  and  of  the  beginaing  of 
the  wer!d  to  come,  which  h  an  eternal  world.  After  that,  upon 
the  fall  of  Antichrift  and  end  is  put  to  Satan's  vifible  klnzdon 
OR  earth,  to  cftablifh  Chrifi'i*  kingdom,  which  is  an  eternal  king- 
dom ;  ai  the  prophet  Daniel  fsyi,  cb:'p,  vii,  27.  "  And  the  king- 
dom and  dominion,  end  the  j rcatncfs  cf  the  king;dcii  uncfer  the 
whole  heaven,  fhall  be  gi  c»  to  the  people  of  tS««  faints  of  thcM^jft 
High,  whofe  kisgdota  is  an  cverlafiing  kingdoai,  and  all  domlri- 
ions  {hall  ferve  aad  obey  him  :  **  whieh  Is  another  itiAance  oltho 
•nding  of  tfes  tcnaporary  world,  and  tkc  beginning  of  the  cserna! 
one.  Laftly,  the  very  frame  of  this  corruptible  world  (hall  eomc 
•o  an  end,  to  make  way  f^  ihc  ehorch  to  dwell  in  another  dwell- 
ing-place,  which  Oiali  Uk  lo  cteciitj  i  ^lUk  it  ttc  U^  iaft?«6^ 
•f  the  fame  thiog* 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  17$ 

Becaufc  the  world  is  ihus  coming  to  an  end  by  various  f>€ps  and 
degrccfl,  the  Apofllc  perhaps  ufcs  thif  cxpreffion,  that  ihc  tnds  of 
the  world  arc  «omc  on  us  ;  not  the  tnd,  but  the  ends,  of  the  plural 
number,  as  ihcugh  the  world  as  feveral  endings  ©ne  af«r  anoiher. 

The  gofpel-difpcnfattoa  is  thchft  ftatc  ol  things  in  the  world  j 
and  this  ftate  is  a  ftnilhing  fialc  :  it  is  all  fpcnt  in  iaifl.iag  things 
off  which  before  had  been  prtrpsring,  cr  aboliihing  things  which 
before  had  ftood.  It  is  all  (pent  as  it  were  in  fummirg  ihings  up,and 
bringing  them  to  their  ifl*«es,  and  their  proper  fulfilment.  Now  all 
the  old  types  arc  fulfiled,  and  all  the  prophecies  of  all  the  prophets 
from  the  beginniRg  of  the  world  (hill  be  aecomplifhed  in  this  period. 
III.  That  ftate  of  things  which  is  attained  in  ibe  cvtnts  of  thi« 
j^^zlod  U  cskUcd  a  new  haven  and  a  new  garth:  If.  1x7.  17,  18. 
"  For  behold,  I  create  aew  heavens,  and  a  new  e^rth  :  and  the 
former  fhall  not  be  remembered,  nor  come  inio  mir.d.  Bat  Ic 
you  gla4  and  rejoice  forever  in  that  whick  I  create  :  for  behold,  £ 
create  Jerufalem  a  rejoicing,  and  her  people  a  joy"  And  6b»  ^ 
Ixvi.  22.  "For  as  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth  which  I 
x&ike,  iiall  remain  before  me  ;  fo  (hall  your  feed  and  your  name 
remain."  Seealfoch  li.  16.  As  the  former  ftate  of  things,  or 
the  old  world,  by  one  Aep  after  another,  is  through  this  perl«il 
coming  to  an  end  ;  fo  the  new  ftate  of  things,  or  the  new  worlds 
which  is  a  fpiritaal  world,  is  beginning  and  fctting  up. 

.  The  heavea  and  earth  which  are  ccrruptable,  are  fhaking,  that 
the  new  heavens  and  new  earthy  which  cancot  be  fhaken,  may  bo 
cf\i\)\l{hcd  and  remain. 

In  confequencc  of  each  of  thcfc  finilhirgs  of  6he  old  ftate  of 
things,there  is  a  new  beginning  of  a  new  and  eternal  ftate  of  things. 
So  was  that  which  acconpanicd  thedeftru^ion  of  Jerufalcm,  which 
was  an  cftablifhing  of  the  fpiritaal  Jerufalcm,  iaftead  of  the  literal. 
So  with  refpcd  to  the  deftru^ion  of  the  old  Mcathcn  empire,  and 
all  the  other  endings  of  the  old  ftate  of  things,  till  at  length  the 
very  outward  frame  of  the  old  world  itfelf  fhall  come  to  an  ecd  ; 
and  the  church  fhall  dwell  in  a  world  new  to  it,  or  to  a  great  part 
of  it,  even  heaven,  which  will  be  a  new  habitation  ;  and  then 
Ihall  the  utmoft  be  accomplllhed  that  is  meant  by  the  new  bcaveof 
and  the  new  earth.    See  Rev.  xxi.   i. 

The  end  of  God'f  creating  the  world  was  to  prepare  a  kicgdom 
for  kis  Son,  (for  he  is  ?ppointed  heir  of  the  world),  and  that  he 
itiight  have  the  poffeiT.on  of  it,  and  a  kingdom  in  it,  which  fhall 
remain  to  all  eternity.  So  that,  fo  far  forth  as  the  king^ 
dcm  of  Chrift  is  fet  up  in  the  world  fo  far  is  the  world 
brought  to  its  end,  and  the  eternal  ftate  of  things  fet  up.  So  far 
are  all  the  great  changes  and  revolutions  of  the  ages  of  the  world 
brought  to  their  everlafUng  ifTue,  and  all  things  oome  to  their  ulti- 
mate period.  9o  far  arc  the  waters  of  the  locg  channel  of  divine 
Y  providcacc. 


i?^'  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

pfoviJence,  wiichhas  fo  miny  branches,  and  fo  msny  windings 
and  turnings,  emptied  out  into  their  proper  oc^;an,  whick  ihey  hav'e 
kce.i  fcalctng  froaa  the  beginning  aad  bead  of  thtir  eourfc,  and  fo 
arc  come  to  their  reft.  So  far  as  Chrift's  kingdom  i§cftabl»(hed  in 
the  world,  fo  far  are  things  wound  up  and  fetilcd  in  their  cverlaft- 
iBg  ftate,  and  a  period  put  to  the  courfe  of  thirgs  in  this  chacgca- 
ble  world  ;  fo  far  are  the  i\r{{  heavens  and  the  fi  ft  earth  come  to 
an  end,  and  the  new  hftayetrs  and  the  new  earth  cemc -to  wend/  ard 
the  new  heavens  and  the  new  eanh,  the  everlafiing  heavens  and 
earth,  cfhbllflKd  in  their  room.        This  leads  me  to  cbfervc, 

IV.  That  the  f^a?e  of  things  which  is  attained  by  the  events  of 
this  period,  is  what  is  fo  often  called  th  kingdom  of  htaven,  or  tht 
kingdom  of  God.  We  very  often  read  in  the  New-Teftamenl  of 
the  k'ngiom  of  heaven.  John  theBaptirt  preached,  thst  the  kingdosi 
of  heaven  was  at  hand  ;  and  fo  did  Chrifl,  and  his  difcip'cs  after 
him  ;  refering  to  fomething  that  the  Jews  in  thcfs  days  expei^ed, 
and  very  much  talked  of,  which  they  called  by  that  name.  They 
feemtohave  taken  their  expccSiatlon  and  the  name  chitfly  frcm 
that  jprophecy  of  Dinic!  in  Nebuchadnezzar's  dream,  Dan.  ii.  ^4, 
**  And  in  the  days  of  thefe  kings  lb  all  the  God  of  heaven  fct  up 
a  kingdom  ;"  together  wi>h  that  in  chap,  vii,  13,  14. 

Now  this  klngJom  of  heaven  is  that  evangelical  ftate  cf  things 
in  his  church,  and  in  the   woild,  wherein  confi/^s  the  fucecfs  of 
Chrift's  reicraptiob  in  this  period.     There  had  been  often  great 
kingdoms  fct  up  before,  which  were  earthly  kirgdooas  ;  as  the  Ba- 
bylonifb,  Perfian,  theGrecian,andtheRoman  monarchies.  ButCbrift 
came  to  fct  up  the  laft  kingdom,  which  is  not  an  earthly  kingdom, 
but  an  heavenly,  and  fo  is  the  kingdom  of  hcsven  :  John  xviii, 
36.     "  My  k'rjgdom  is  not  cf  this  world.'*     Thi«  is  the  kingdoat 
of  which  Chrift  fpeaks,  Luke  xxii. -29.     *'  My   Father   hath  zp- 
pointed  tome  a  kingdom."  This  king«Jom  began  focn  aftei Chrift's 
refurre£^ion,  and  was  acccmplifhed  in  various  ftcps  from  that  time 
to  the  end  of  the  wcrld.     Sometimes  by  the  kingdom  ef  heaven,  h 
meant  that  fpiritua!  ftauc  of  the  church  which  brgan  foon  aftcrChriftV 
refufredion  ;  fometimes  that  mere  pcrfed  Hate  of  the  church  whicb 
(ball  obtain  after  the  downfall  of  Antichrift  ;  and  fometimes  that 
gloiious  and  bUlTcd  ftatcto  wfcich  the  church  fhall  be  received  at  the 
day  of  judgement  :    i  Cor.  xv.  50.   the  apofile,   fpeaking   of  the 
refurredion,  fays,  '•  Thii  I  fay,  that  flcli\  and  blood  cannot  in- 
herit the  kingdom  of  God." 

Under  this  head  I  would  obf«rvc  fcvcral  things  particularly,  for 
the  clearer  uaderftanding  of  what  the  fcriplure  fays  concerning  thii 
peiiod.  ►  ^        ^ 

I.  The  felting  up  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  is  chiefly  accom- 
plifh«d  by  four  fuccelfivc  great  events,  each  of  which  is  in  fcrip- 
lure aallsd  Chriji'f  coming  in  hit  kingdom.     The  whole  fucecfs  of 

Chrift'f 


the  Work  of    REDEMPTION.  177 

Chrift'l  redemption  ii  comprehended  ia  one  word,  viz.  his  fctting 
up  his  kingdom.  This  is  chiefly  done  by  four  great  fucccffive  dif- 
penfations  of  providence  ;  and  every  «ne  of  them  is  reprcfcntsd  in 
fcripturc  as  Chrift's  coming  in  his  kingdom.  The  firft  is  Chrift's 
appearing  in  thofe  wonderful difpenfitions  of  providence  in  thea-* 
poftlesdays,  in  felting  up  his  kingdom,  and  dcftroying  the  ene- 
mies of  his  kingdom,  which  ended  in  the  dcftcudion  of  JcrufBlem, 
This  is  called  Chrii^'s  coming  in  his  kingdom,  Matth.  xvi.  28. 
**  Verify  I  fay  unto  you,  there  be  feme  ftanding  here,  which  lliall 
not  taf^e  of  death  til!  they  fee  the  Son  of  man  coming  in  his  king- 
dom.'' And  foit  is  reprefcntcd  in  Matth.  xxiv.  The  fccond  is 
that  which  was  accomplilhcd  in  Conliantinc's  time,  in  thedeAruc- 
tion  of  the  Heathen  Roman  empire.  This  is  reprcfentcd  asChrift'a 
coming,  and  is  compared  to  his  coming  to  judgement,  in  the  6:li 
chapter  of  Revelation  at  the  latter  end.  The  tbird  is  that  which 
is  tobc  accompli(hc4  at  the  deflrudion  of  Antichrii^.  Tnis  alfo 
is  reprefented  as  Chrift's  coming  in  his  kingdom  in  the  7th  chsptc'" 
of  Diciel,  and  in  other  places,  as  I  may  po/Tibly  Ihow  hereafter* 
when  I  come  to  fpeak  of  it.  The  fourth  and  laft  is  his  comirg  to 
the  hftj'jdgemcni,  which  is  the  event  principally  fignificd  in  fcrip- 
turc  by  Chriji's  coming  into  his  Kingdom. 

2.  I  would  obferve,  that  cac;h  of  the  three  formrr  of  thefe  h  a 
lively  image  or  type  of  the  fourth  and  laft,  viz,  Chrift's  coming 
to  the  final  j  idgcment,  as  the  principjil  difpenfations  of  providence 

before  Chrifl's  firft  coming,  were  typcj  of  that  ^id  coming. . 

As  Cbrift's  laA  coming  to  judgement  is  accDmpained  wiih  a  refur- 
rc(^ion  of  the  dead,  fo  is  each  of  the  three  forcgorng  with  a  fpirl- 
tual  refurre(f^ion.  That  coming  of  ChriA,  which  ended  in  the  de- 
fjru'-Hon  of  Jsrufalcm,  was  p'ccede<lby  a  glorious  fpiritwal  rcfur- 
lef^ion  of  fouls  in  the  calling  of  the  Gentiles,  and  bringing  home 
fuch  multitudes  of  fouls  to  Chria  by  the  preaching  of  the  gofpcl- 
So  GhriA's  coming  in  Conftsntlnc's  lime,  was  sccompanicd  with  a, 
glorious  fpiritual  rcfurrc(^ion  of  ihe  greater  put  cf  the  known 
world,  in  arefioratioa  of  it  to  a  vifiblc-cl  uich  ftole,  from  a  Aaic  of 
Heatbenifm,  SoChrift's  coming  at  the  dcA:u6lion  o^Antichriil:,wil! 
be  attended  with  a  fpiritual  rcfurredion  of  the  church  iaftcr  it  had 
been  long  as  it  were  dead,  in  the  times  of  AntichrJA.  This  is  cal- 
led the  firjl  refurre^ion  in  the  20lh  chapter  of  Revelations. 

Again,  as  Chriit  in  the  hA  judgement  will  glorioufly  mnnifeft 
biaifclf  coming  in  the  glory  of  his  Father,  fo  in  each  cf  ihe  three 
foregoing  events  Chrift  glorioufly  manifcfled  himfelf  in  fending; 
judgements  upon  his  enemies,  and  in  ihowing  grace  and  fi»vour  \o 
fjii  church  ;  and  as  the  laft  coming  of  Chrift  will  be  attended  with 
a  literal  gathering  together  of  the  cieft  from  the  four  winds  of  hea- 
ven, &  wc:c  each  of  the  preceding  attended  with  a  fpirituil  gither^- 

ing 


118  A    H  I  S  TO  R  Y  of 

ing  in  of  the  aUS.,     As  this  gathering  together  of  the  deft  wUI 

hi  effcif^ed  by  G  jd'i  angels  with  a  great  found  of  a  trutnpat,  as  ia 
Maith.  xxiv.  31.  ;  f o  wsre  each  of  the  preceding  fpiritual  inga- 
therings cffrilcd  by  ihc  trumpet  of  the  gofpcl, founded  by  the  mmi- 
flcrs  of  C^^rift.  As  iherc  fnail  precede  the  \ai\  appsaraace  of  Chrift, 
atitue  of  gye:it  degeneracy  and  wickedacfs,  fo  this  has  been,  or 
Wiil  be,  ihc  cafe  with  each  of  the  other  appeafi^nGes.  Before  each 
of  them  is  a  time  of  great  opp.irjsion  to  tbe  church:  before  the 
firft  by  the  Jcv^a,  in  tbar  pcvfecuiions  that  wc  read  of  in  the  New 
Teftaincnt  ;  before  the  ficond,  vix.  io  Conftan'an^i'a  time,  by  the 
Heathen,  in  fevcral  fucc:;!f:i'e  pesfecutioRS  raifcd  by  the  Romaa 
emperors  againll  the  Chfifiiaris  ;  bc^fore  the  third,  by  Aatichrift  ; 
before  the  lart,  byGog  and  Migog,  8s  defcnbed  i»  the  Revelation. 

By  each  ®f  thcfe  coaaingis  of  Chrift  God  works  a  glorious  dc- 
livtrance  for  his  church.  Eaeh  of  them  ii  accompanied  with  a 
glorious  advanccqisat  o^  the  I'^ate  of  the  church.  The  firft,  whick 
ended  ia  the  deUrudicn  of  Jcrufaiem,  was  attended  with  bringing 
fhe  church  into  the  glorious  it  ale  of  the  gofpd,  a  glorious  fiAicot 
the  cUuroh  very  much  piophefied  of  old,  whereby  the  chureh  wa« 
advar\«ed  ifitofar  more  glorious  circunriflances  than  it  was  in  before 
under  the  Jorifh  difpeufation.  The  fecond,  which  was  in  Con- 
fi^ntine's  tioic,  was  accompanied  with  an  advirxsmcat  of  the 
church  into  a  ft  ate  of  liberty  from  perfccution,  and  the  counte- 
nance of  civil  authority,  and  triumph  over  their  Heathen  perfetu-  • 
tors.  The  third,  which  flbali  be  at  the  dowafall  of  Antichrift, 
\wiii  be  accompanied  with  hn  advaicsmcnt  of  the  church  i»to  that 
itate  of  the  g^^^Ious  pr:°va!en«e  of  truth,  liberty,  peace,  and  joy, 
that  we  fo  often  r«ad  of  ^a  the  propbcircal  parts  of  fcripture* 
The  laft  win  be  attended  wiih  the  advanceoaent  of  the  church  to 
coafuoanatc  glcry  in  both  foui  and  body  in  heaven. 

Each  of  thofs  cocoings  of  ChriU  is  accompanied  with  a  terrible 
dcrwruftion  of  the  wicked,  and  the  enemies  of  the  church  :  the  firft 
wiih  the  dcftruftion  of  the  perfccuiiog  Jews,  which  was  amazingly 
terrible  ;  the  fccond,  with  dreadful  judgements  oa  the  Hcaihca 
perfecutors  of  the  church,  of  which  more  hiereaftcr  ;  the  third,  with 
^e  awful  dei^rudion  ef  Antichrif^.  the  moD  crutl  and  bitter  eae^ 
m^  that  ever  the  church  had  ;  the  fourth,  with  diviac  wrath  aad 
vengeance  on  all  the  ungodly. 

Further,  there  is  ia  each  of  thefe  earnings  of  Chrift  an  ending 
of  the  old  heavens  and  the  old  earth,  and  a  beginning  of  new  kea- 
Teat  and  a  new  earth  ;  or  an  end  of  a  temporal  (late  of  things,  an4 
a  baginning  of  an  eternal  f^ate. 

3.  I  would  obferve,  that  eaeh  of  thofe  four  great  difpcnfatio&f 
Hrhich  arc  rtprefentcd  as  Ghrifl's  coming  in  his  kingdcm,  are  but' 
fomaoy  ftcpr  an^  degrees  of  lb?  sccQttJpli&msaj  of  one  evevit, 

Tl?€y 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  179 

They  art  not  the  fetiingup  of  fomanydiftindt  kingdoms  ©!  Chrift; 
tbcyflroallof  ibcoaonly  fcvcra I  degrees  of  the  accomplilhmeBt 
of  that  one  even  prophelicd  of,  Dan.  vii.  13.  14.  *'  And  1  faw  ia 
the  night  viiioai,  and  bcisold,  one  like  the  Son  of  man,  came  vriih 
the  doqds  of  heaven,  and  came  to  the  Ancient  of  days,  and  they 
brought  him  near  before  him.  And  there  was  given  him  domini- 
on, and  glory,  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  people,  oaxionj,  and 
Janguagci,ll«ould  fcffve  him  :  bis  dominion  ia  an  everUiiing  domin- 
ion, and  his  kingdom  that  which  Ihall  not  be  deftroycd,"  This  is 
what  the  jews  expected,  and  called  *'  the  coming  •!  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  ;"  and  what  John  the  Bapti^  and  Chrift  had  refpett  to, 
when  they  faid,  *'  The  kiogdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand."  This 
great  event  U  gradually  aceompli&ed,  or  is  accomplilked^  by  feve- 
ral  ilcps.  Thofc  four  great  events  whiph  have  been  mentioned, 
were  fcveral  fteps  towards  the  accompli(hmcnt  of  this  grand  event. 

When  Chrift  came  with  the  preaching  Af  the  apoftie*,  to  fct  up 
his  kingdom  in  the  world,  which  difpcnfation  ended  with  the  de- 
f^rud^ion  of  Jerufilcm,  then  it  was  aceoaplilhed  in  a  glorious  de- 
gree ;  when  the  Hsathen  empire  was  deilroyed  in  Conftantine'i 
time,  it  was  fulfilled  in  a  further  degree  ;  when  Antichrift  (hail  be 
dcftroyed,it  will  be  accompHfh^d  in  a  yet  higher  degree  ;  bjt  when 
the  end  of  the  world  is  come,ihcn  will  it  be  acompliihtdin  its  meft 
p  irfcd  degree  of  all ;  then  it  will  be  fi  lally  &completly  accomplilhcd. 
And  becsufe  thefc  four  great  evtnts  are  but  images  one  of  another 
and  the  three  former  but  types  of  the  lafl,  and  fiacc  they  are  all 
only  fevcral  flcps  of  the  acccmpllihment  of  the  fame  tbirgs  ;  hence 
we  fiaJihcm  all  from  time  to  limeprophecicd  of  under  one,a8  they 
are  in  the  prophecies  of  Daniel,  and  as  they  are  in  the  24!h  chapter 
of  Matthew,  whsrc  fome  things  fecm  more  applicable  to  oca  of 
them,  and  others  to  a&other. 

4.  I  would  obferve,  tbat  ns  there  asc  fcveral  fteps  of  the  accom- 
pliOimsnt  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift,  fo  in  each  one  of  them  Vaz 
event  is  accompliftitd  in  a  fuithcr  degree  than  in  the  foregoing. 
That  in  the  timsof  Coaftaniine  was  a  greal>;r  and  further  accuta- 
pliflntneot  of  ihe  kingdom  of  Chrift,  than  tbat  which  ended  in  tho 
deftrudion  of  Jwrufalcm  ;  that  which  (hall  be  at  the  fall  of  Anti- 
chf  iftjwill  be  4  further  accomplifVimcni  of  the  fame  thing, than  th'.t 
which  took  place  in  the  time  of  Conftantlcc  ;  and  fo  on  with  re- 
gard to  each  :  fo  that  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  is  gradually  pre- 
yailing  and  growing  by  theft  fcveral  great  ftcps  of  its  fuililment, 
from  the  time  of  Chrift's  refurre^tion,  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

5  .  And  Lftly,  It  miy  be  obfervcd,  that  the  great  prcvlJcnces 
of  Gjd  between  thefc  faur  great  events,  are  to  make  way  fwr  th« 
kingdom  and  glory  of  Chrift  in  the  great  event  followir^,  Thofe 
difpcafalioBS  of  p:ovi^c;^ce  vhkb  were  ^iwudi  th&  chui;;^  cf  God 

and 


i8o  A    n  J  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

and  the  worli,  before  the  dcAruflion  of  the  Heathen  empire  in  the 
lime  of  Conftantine,  I'ceni  all  to  have  been  to  ma  he  way  for  !he 
glory  of  Chrift,  and  the  happincfs  of  the  church  la  that  fvcnl. 
Aad  fo  the  great  providcnc-s  of  G:id  which  arc  after  that,  till  the 
dcflruftion  of  Antichrift,  fcnd  the  beginning  of  the  glovioui  times 
•f  the  chujch,  ivhich  follow^,  fccm  all  to  be  to  pripare  the  way  for 
the  grcJter  glory  of  Chrifl  and  his  church  in  that  event ;  and  the 
providences  cf  God  which  (hall  be  after  that  to  the  end  of  the 
u'ovid,  fecm  to  be  for  the  greater  manifcftation  of  Chriil's  glory  at 
the  end  of  the  world  ;  and  in  the  coGfuaimaii©n  of  all  things. 

Thus  I  thought  it  needful  to  obfcrve  thefc  things  in  general  con- 
oerniHg  thia  laft  psdod  of  the  ferles  of  God's  providence,  before 
I  tak«  notice  of  the  pariicular  providences  by  which  the  work  of 
rcdcHiplion  is  carried  on  through  this  period,  in  their  order  :  and 
before  1  do  that,  I  will  alfo  briefly  anfwer  to  an  Inqjjiry,  viz. 
Why  the  fctring  upofChrift's  kingdom  after  his  humiliation, (hould 
be  fo  gradual,  by  fo  many  fteps  that  are  fa  long  in  acccraplifhing, 
fincc  God  cculd  eafily  have  li.iifhcd  it  at  once  ? 

Though  it  would  b:  prefumptson  in  uj  to  pretend  to  declare  all 
the  ends  of  God  in  this,  ycx  doubtlcfs  much  cf  the  wifdora  of  God 
may  be  ken  in  it  by  us  ;  and  particularly  in  thcfe  two  things. 

1.  In  this  way  the  glory  of  God's  wifdom,  in  the  manner  of 
doiHg  this,  is  more  vifiblc  to  the  obfervation  of  creatures.  If  it 
had  been  done  at  once,  in  an  inftant,  or  in  a  very  ftiort  time,  there 
would  not  have  been  fuch  opportunities  for  creatures  to  perceive 
and  obf«rv«  the  particular  i^eps  of  divine  wifdom,  si  when  the 
wo.k  is  gradusUy  accompllfhcd,  and  one  efTeifl  cf  his  wifdom  i» 
held  forth  to  obfervation  after  another.  It  is  wifely  determined  of 
God,  to  accomplilh  bis  great  defign  by  a  wendcrful  and  long  fcries 
of  events,  that  the  glory  of  his  >vifdom  may  be  difplayed  in  the 
whole  fcries,  and  that  the  glory  of  his  perfcdioas  may  be  fcen, 
appearing,  S8  it  were,  by  pirts,  a^sd  in  particular  fucceflivc  mani- 
feftations :  For  if  all  that  glory  which  appears  ia  all  thcfe  events. 
had  been  manifefled  at  once,  it  would  have  been  too  much  for  ui, 
and  more  than  we  at  once  could  take  notice  of  ;  it  would  hav£ 
daz«!ed  our  eyes  and  overpowered  our  f;ght. 

2.  S-itan  is  more  gloriouHy  triumphed  over — (!^od  could  eafily, 
by  an  a(^  of  almighty  power,  at  once  have  crufhed  Satan.  But  by 
giving  him  time  to  ufe  his  utmoft  fubtilty  to  hinder  the  fuccefs  of 
what  Chrift  had  do»c  and  fuft.red,  he  ii  not  defeated  merely  by 
furprife,  but  has  large  opportunity  to  ply  h*3  utmofl  power  and 
fubtilty  again  and  again,  to  rtrengthen  his  own  intcreil  all  that  he 
can  by  the  work  of  many  ages.  Thus  God  deftroys  and  confounda 
him,  and  fetf  up  Ghrift's  kingdoM  time  after  time,  in  fpitc  of  all 
his  fubtls  machioadow  aad  great  wotkfp  aa;2  by  every  p,«p  advaa= 


the  Wcik  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  i?l 

«es  it  ftill  hrghcr  and  higher,  till  at  Icnglh  ft  is  fully  fct  up,  and 
Satan   perffc(^lly  and  cterriaUy  vanqutlhsd  in  the  end  of  3II  thinjrj, 

I  now  psocced  to  take  notice  of  the  particular  cvr.nts,  wl  cicby, 
from  the  end  of  Chrifi'j  hurailiation  to  \he  end  oi  the  world,  ihe 
fucccfj  of  Chrii.'s  purchafc  has  Lccn  or  (h  .11  be  accompllfh  d. 

I.  1  would  take  notice  of  thofe  things  whereby  Chril^  wss  put  into 
an  immediate  capacity  for  accomplifhing  the  end  of  hi»  purchsfe. 

2.  I  woCjIJ  (how  how  be  obtained  or  ac«ompUfhid  thai  fucccfs, 

PART        I. 

I  WOULD  take  notice,  firl^,  of  thofc  thing?  by  which  Cbrift 
was  put  into  a  capacity  for  accoroplilhingthe  end  of  his  purchafc. 
They  arc  two  things,  viz.  his  refurreflion,  and  hii  afcenlion.  As 
wc  obfcfvcd  before,  the  incarnation  of  Chrii^  wai  neccffary  in  order 
to  Chfift's  being  in  a  near  capacity  for  the  purchafe  of  redemption  ; 
fo  the  rcfurrcf^ion  and  afctnfion  of  Chrift  were  rcquifitc  in  order 
to  hts  accomplifhing  the  fuccefs  of  his  purchafc, 

I.  His  refurreftion.  It  was  ncccfTary  in  order  to  Chrift's  ob- 
taining the  end  and  cffeft  of  his  purchafc  of  redemption,  that  he 
fhould  rife  from  the  dead.  For  God  the  Father  had  committed  the 
whole  affair  of  redemption^  not  only  the  purchafing  of  it,  but  the 
beftowing  of  the  blcffings  purchafed,  to  his  Son,  that  he  Ihoald  not 
only  purchafc  it  ai  priol,  bat  aftually  bring  it  about  as  king  ;  and 
that  he  (hould  do  this  as  God  man.  For  God  the  Father  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  fallen  man  in  a  way  of  mercy  but  by  a  mediator. 
But  in  order  that  Ghrifi  might  earry  on  the  work  of  redemption, 
and  sceomplifh  the  fuccefs  of  bis  own  pnrpofe  as  God -man,  it  was 
Dcceffary  that  he  fhould  be  alive,  snd  fo  that  he  ihould  rife  from 
the  dead.  Therefore  Chrift,  after  he  had  finiHied  this  purchafc"  by 
death,  and  by  continuing  for  a  lime  under  the  power  of  death,  rifes 
from  the  rfead,  to  fulHi  the  end  of  his  purchafc,  and  himfelf  to 
bring  about  that  for  which  he  died  :  For  this  matter  God  the  Father 
had  committed  unto  him,  that  he  might,  as  Lord  of  all,  manage 
all  to  his  own  pu<-pofes  :  Rom.  xiv.  9.  "  For  to  this  end  Chrift 
•*  both  died,  and  rofe,  and  revived,  that  he  might  be  Lord  both 
©f  the  dead  and  of  the  living." 

Indeed  Ciirift's  refurrcftion,  and  fo  his  afccnfion,  was  part  of 
the  fuccefs  of  what  Chrift  did  and  fuffcrcd  in  hb  humiliation. 
For  though  Ch;ift  did  not  properly  purchafc  redemption  for  him- 
fclf,  yet  he  purchafed  eternal  life  and  glory  for  himfcif 
by  what  he  did  and  fufifcred  j  and  this  eternal  life  aad  glory 
was  given  him  at  a  reward  of  what  hs  did  and  fuifered  ,  Phil.  ii. 
8.9.  "H^  humbled  bimfclf,  and  become  obedient  unto  death, 
even  the  death  off  the  crofi.  Wherefore  God  alfo  hath  highly  ex- 
altei  him/'^  It  may  be  looktd  upon  as  part  of  the  fuccefs  ofChrift'i 

purchafc. 


s8i  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

purchaft,  if  it  be  fo  cofcfidcrcd,  that  Chrift  did  not  rife  as  a  pri- 
vate perfon,  but  as  the  head  of  the  elect  church  ;  fa  that  they  tiid, 
as  it  were,  aU  nfc  with  him.  Chrift  wa«  jufiifiad  in  his  tefurrcc- 
tion,  i  e.  Go4  acquued  and  difchargcd  him  hereby,  a*  haviojj  done 
end  fuff« red  enough  for  the  (in«  of  ail  the  eSc£l  .•  RO01.  iv.  25:. 
«*  Wbo  vraj  delivered  lor  ouf  offences,  snd  raifcd  3w^i»in  for  our 
juftificatioa,"  AudGadputhim  in  p-llefflon  of  eXtrnkl  life,  as 
the  he a«  of  rhc  church,  as  a  fare  e-iraeft  tij*t  they  fhould  follow. 
For  whea  Chsift  rofe  from  the  dead,  that  was  the  beginning  of 
ctcrn*^i  ^i^e  in  him.  His  life  Deforc  his  death  was  a  morral  liis,  a 
temporal  iiffl  ;  but  hi»  life  after  ih  iduuisdion  wa»  an  ex'^nal  life  ; 
Rem,  vi  9*  "  Knowing  that  Chrift  being  r^ifed  from  the  dead, 
dielh  no  more  ;  detlh  hath  no  more  dominion  over  him."  Rev. 
i.  18  **  lam  he  ihat  iiveth,  and  wai  dead  ;  and  behold,  1  am 
aUv2  for  evermore,  Amen,"— But  he  was  put  in  pofTclTion  •£ 
this  eterral  Wis,  as  the  head  of  the  body  ;  and  took  polfsffujn  of  it^ 
not  on^y  to  e  Jc-y  himfelf,  but  to  beftoA'  on  all  »vho  bciive  in  him  ; 
fo  that  thf  wh'Ac  chuich,  as  it  were,  rifes  in  him.  Aad  now  he 
wfe©  lately  f  fccd  io  eouih,  after  ihi^  h  tofuffer  n©  more  for  cvcr» 
but  to  eattr  into  etcrnii  gbry.  God  ihe  F  uher  ncishcr  espcdh  nor 
deiiicfl  any  more  fufFiriru^. 

This  rcfur -cclioa  of  Ch*- ifr  ii  the  mcf^  joyful  event  that  ever  c?me 
to  pafs  ;  becauft  hcicby  Chnh  reftcd  from  the  great  and  difficult 
work  of  puTchafirg  fcdemption,  and  received  God's  tcftimony,  that 
It  wtis  fiailbed.  The  dccth  of  CkiiAwasthe  gieattlt  and  moi} 
vrondcrful  event  that  ever  came  to  ps^U  ;  but  that  has  a  great  deal 
an  it  that  is  forrowful.  Bat  by  the  rcfurfc6lion  of  Chrift,  that 
forrow  is  turned  into  joy.  The  htad  of  the  wholr  chuich,  in  that 
great  events  enters  on  the  poffeffion  of  eternal  ^ffe  ;  and  the  whole 
church  is,  as  it  were,  **  begotten  again  to  a  iiveJy  hope,"  i  Pet. 
h  3.  "Weeping  hsd  continued  for  a  night,  but  now  joy  comcth  in 
ihc  morning,  the  mofi  joyful  morning  that  ever  was.  This  h  the 
day  of  the  reigaing  of  the  head  of  the  churchy  and  all  the  church 
reigns  with  him.  This  is  fpckcn  of  as  a  day  which  was  worthy  to 
be  commemorated  with  the  greatcft  j  ;y  of  all  dsys  :  Pfal.  cxviii. 
24.  **  This  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath  made,  we  will  rejoice 
aijd  be  glad  in  it."  And  ihcrtfore  this  above  all  other  days  is 
appointed  for  the  day  of  the  church's  fpiritual  rejoicing  to  the  end 
of  the  world,  to  be  weekly  fandiiied»  as  their  day  of  holy  ttfi  and 
joy,  that  the  church  therein  may  reft  and  rejoice  with  her  head. 
And  as  the  3d  chapter  of  Gcnefis  is  the  moft  forrowful  chapter  in 
the  Bible  ;  fo  thofe  chapters  in  the  evangelifts  that  give  an  account 
of  the  refurreftioft  of  Chrift,  may  be  looked  upon  as  the  moft  joy- 
ful chapters  in  all  the  Bible  :  for  thofe  chapters  give  an  account  •£ 
the  fini(bing  of  the  purcbafc  of  redemption,  and  the  beginoing  o£ 
the  glory  of  the  bead  of  the  cburcbi  as  the  greateft  fcal  and  carneft 

of 


Ihe  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  lU 

mf  the   ecernal  glory    of   all    the  reft. 

It  i«  further  to  be  obfcrvcd,  that  the  day  of  Ae  Rofpcl  moft  pro- 
perly begins  with  the  rcfuire^ioa  of  Cbiift.— — TiU  Cbfift  rofc 
froai  the  dead,  thcOld-Tcl^jiment  difper.faiioo  rem  ined  :  but  now 
itceafei,  all  being  fulfilled  Mai  wm  thkdowed  forth  in  the  lypicil 
ordinanccj  of  that  difpenfation  ;  fo  that  here  moft  properly  i»  the 
end  of  the  Olu  Tcfkamcni  night  and  Chrift  fifing  from  ibc  grave 
with  joy  and  gVo;  y,  wai  as  the  j  ^yful  bride  groom  of  the  church, 
si%*  glorious  conqueror  to  fubdue  their  enemies  under  their  feet  ; 
or  was  like  the  fun  rifing  as  it  were  from  under  tlx  earth,  after  a 
long  night  of  da '-kncfft,  and  coming  forth  as  a  bade  grocm,  pre* 
pared  as  a  Arorgman  to  run  bis  race,  appearing  in  jo>fu)  light  to 
enlighten  the  M^orld.  Now  that  joyful  and  excellent  difpcnfalioa 
begins,  that  gloiious  difpenfation,  of  which  the  prophets  propbe* 
fied  fo  much  ;  now  the  gofpel  fun  is  lifen  is  glory,  *'  and  with 
bealiag  in  his  wings,"  that  thofs  who  fear  God's  name,  may  go 
forth,  and  grow  up  as  calrcs  of  the  ftall,'* 

U.  ChriA's  afecntion  into  heaven.  la  this  I  would  Include  bit 
fitting  at  the  right  band  of  God.  For  Chrift *s  afcenfioB,  and  fit- 
ting at  the  righ't  hand  of  G<j4,  can  fcaroely  be  looked  upon  as  two 
diftint^  chirgs  :  forChrifl's  afccofion  was  nothing  elfe,  but  afcend- 
ing  toGod'i  right  hand  ;  it  was  coming  to  Tit  down  at  hit  Father's 
right  hand  in  glory.  Tnts  was  ar  other  thing  whereby  Chrift  was 
put  intoa  capacity  far  ihe  sccompKih'ng  the  cife^  of  his  purch^fe  ; 
at  one  that  comes  to  be  a  deliverer  cf  a  people  as  tbeii  .king,  in  or- 
der to  it,  and  th^t  be  may  be  urder  the  bcf^  rapacity  for  it,  ii  iiril 
inrlallcd  in  his  throne.  We  are  told,  thatChriA  was  exriUcd  for 
this  end,  that  he  might  accompi*ib  the  fuccefs  of  bi^  redemption  : 
A<'lsv  31.  *'  Hi 01  hath  God  exalted  with  his  rtghr  hand,  for 
to  give  rcpcntaijce  unto  Ifrael,and  the  rewiflfion  of  fms." 

Chrift's  afccnfion  into  heavtn  was,  as  it  were,  bit  folemn  entbro- 
fittition,  whereby  thr  Father  did  fet  hia  upof  the  throne,  and  fn« 
▼ert  him  with  the  glory  of  ht*  kingdom  which  hf  bad  purchifcd  for 
himfetf^  ih^  he  might  thereby  ob^arn  the  fucceft  of  his  redempti- 
on in  Conquering  all  hit  enemies  :  Pfal.  ex  i  "  Sit  thoti  at  my 
tight  hand,  until  1  nuke  thine  enemies  thy  footftool."  ChrL'V  en- 
tered into  heaven,  in  order  to  obtain  the  fuecefs  of  bit  purchafCf 
at  Ike  high  priefl  of  ol(^,  after  he  had  ofTered  facrvfice,  entered  in* 
to  the  holy  of  holies  with  the  blood  of  the  fact  ifice,  in  order  to  ob- 
tain thefticcefiofthefacrificc  whichhe  bad  cffercd.  Se  Heb. 
ix.  11.  He  en  teed  into  heaven,  there  to  m  ke  inlerctifior  foe 
his  people,  to  plead  the  ficrifice  which  he  bad  made  in  order  to 
the  fucceft  of  it,  Heb.    vii.  ij. 

As  he  «fcended  into  heaven,  God  the  Father  did  in  a  v'fi\,U  man* 
ter  Ui  bia  oo  the  throne  as  k^r>g  ol  the  unlTCtfe,    He  then  put 

Z  ibt 


l$4  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

the  angcli  all  under  hitn,  and  fatjc^cd  heaven  and  earih  under  bita, 
Ihat  he  might  QOTC*n  them  for  ihc  good  of  the  people  for  whom 
be  had  died,  Ej^h   i    so  21.  12 

As  Chri(\  rufe  from  the  dexd,  (o  he  afcrndcd  into  heaven  at  the 
tiead  of  the  body  and  forciunner  of  all  the  chwrch  ;  and  fo  ihcy,  at 
it  wert,  afccnd  with  him,  as  well  as  rife  wilh  him  :  fo  that  we  are 
bo»h  raif^d  up  together,  and  midc  to  fit  together  in  heavenly  places 
in  Chrifl,  Eph   ii  6 

Tne  d^y  of  Chrift's  af:enfion  into  heaven  was  doobtlcfs  a  joyful* 
glorious  d^y  in  heaven.  As  heaven  rcceivedChriO,  God-man,  as  its 
king,fodoub!lcf$  it  received  a  great  acctfTion  of  glory  and  happiucfs, 
far  bcyord  what  it  had  before.  So  that  the  times  in  both  parts  of  the 
church,  both  that  part  which  is  in  heaven,  and  al'o  that  which  is  on 
earth, ire  become  moregloriuosfinceChrijVshumilistion  than  before. 
So  much  for  ihofe  things  whereby  Chrift  was  put  into  the  bcft 
capacity  for  obtaining  the  fuccefs  of  redemption. 

PART        If. 

I  Now  procerdi  to  Chow  how  he  accoroplifiicd  this  fuccefs.  Here 
I  would  obferve,  that  this  fuccefs  confirts  in  two  things,  vii.  ei- 
ther in  grace,  or  in  glory;  That  fuccefs  which  confiOs  in  the  for- 
mer, IS  to  be  feen  in  ihofe  works  of  God  which  are  wrought  dur- 
ing thofc  ages  of  the  church  wherein  the  church  is  continued  under 
the  outwird  means  of  grace.  That  fuccefs  which  con fii^s  in  the 
latter  of  thefe,  via  glory  :  has  its  chief  aceomplifhmcnt  at  the  d^y 
of  judgement. 

Sect.     I. 

I  WOULD  fir  ft  confidei  the  former  kind  of  fuccefs,  confiAing 
ia  G-»J*s  grace  here  ;  which  mainly  appears  in  the  work  of 
O  »d  during  the  timt  that  the  Chriff  iiii  church  coniirues  under  the 
weans  of  gracf ;  which  Is  fromCh^iA's  refur region  to  hii  appearing 
in  the  clouds  o*  heaven  to  j  idgcment  ;  which  includes  the  three 
former  of  thofe  grc^t  events  of  providence  before  mentioned, 
which  arc  called  Chip's  toming  in  hit  kingdom.  In  fpeakicg  of 
this  fuccefs,  I  would, 

I  Mintion  thofe  things  by  which  the  means  of  this  fuccefs 
were  eft  blifbed  after  Chritl's  rcfurre<flion  ;  and, 

2.     ConHder  the  fuccefs    itfdf. 

^  I  I  W:>uldconfiJer  thofe  difpenfations  of  providence,  by  which  ' 
the  means  of  this  fuccefs  were  eftabliflitd  after  Chr»ft'»  rcfurreflion, 
^  I.  The  abolilViing  of  ihe  Jcwlfh  diipenfation.  This  indeed  was 
gradually  done,  but  it  began  fiom  the  rime  ofChrift's  refurreftion, 
in  which  the  abolition  of  it  is  founded.  This  wa»  the  firfi  thing 
done  towards  bringi-^g  the  former  flate  of  the  world  to  an  end, 
Tiiii  i«  to  be  looked  upon  as  the  great  mcani  of  the  fuccefs  of 

Chiift'f       i 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  il; 

Chrtd's  redemption.  Fo;  the  J::>«iih  iifpeiifation  was  not  fitted 
for  more  thaa  one  nation  :  it  was  not  ti  ted  imt  the  prad  ce  of  tt)e 
world  in  general,  or  for  a  church  or  God  dwelling  m  ah  pa  ti  of 
the  world  :  nor  would  it  h<tTe  been  in  any  wife  pr<.^ic^ble  by 
Ikem  ;  it  would  have  been  impolfiDle  for  men  living  in  all  parts  of 
the  world  to  go  to  J.*:ufalem  three  times  a  year,  as  was  prcictibed 
in  that  conftitution;  When  therefore  G^d  had  a  defign  of  en- 
larging his  churchy  as  he  did  after  Chrifi's  rcfurredionf  it  was  no- 
cefTary  that  this  difpenfation  (houd  be  aboliltcd.  It  it  ^ad  been 
continued,  it  would  have  been  a  g.cai  block  «ad  hinderance  to  the 
enlargement  of  the  church.  B:iiJes,  their  ceremonial  la<w,  by 
reafoo  of  its  burden fomenefs,  and  great  peculiarity  oi  fome  of  its 
rites,  was  as  it  were  a  wall  of  pircitioa  :  and  was  the  ground 
of  enmity  between  the  Jews  and  OentUes,  and  would  have  kept 
the  gtntiics  from  comply ing  the  true  religion.  This  wall  there- 
fore was  broken  4own  ta  make  way  for  the  more  eztenfive  fueccf$ 
of  the  gofpel  ;  as  Eph.  ii   14    i^. 

II.  Tiie  next  thing  in  order  of  time  fcems  tob?  the  appointment 
«f  theCbriftiao  fabbath.  For  though  this  was  g  ^dually  e(\aba(h:i 
ia  the  Ghrif^ian  church,  yet  thofe  things  by  wnicb  the  revet  i':^ri 
of  God's  mind  and  will  was  made,  began  on  the  dry  ot  ChrMt'f 
rcfurrettion,  by  his  appearing  then  to  his  difeiplcs,  juhr  xx  19  ; 
and  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  hh  appearing  trom  vimn  to  i.^ic 
on  that  day  rather  than  any  other,  John  xx.  26  and  by  hm  fcnamg 
down  the  Holy  fpiiit  fo  remarkably  en  thar  di<y,  A^>  ii  I.  and 
afterwards  in  dircdirsg  that  pubiic  aiTcmblic^  ^ti-^  the  publ'C  wor» 
ikip  of  Chri/lians  ibould  be  on  that  day,  which  m^y  be  concluded 
from  Ads  xx.7.  i  Cor,  xvi.  i.  s,  and  Rt\.  i.  10.  And  fo  the 
day  of  the  week  on  which  Cnrifi  arofc  frcm  the  dc^ii,  ihnt  joy- 
ful day,  i»  appointed  to  be  the  day  ol  ir.c  church's  holy  rtj  icing 
|o  the  end  of  the  world,  and  the  day  of  their  (l^ted  puolic  wor- 
iliip.  Ttiis  is  a  very  great  and  principal  mean*  of  the  fuccefji 
which  the  gofpel  has  had  in  the  wor  d. 

III.  The  next  thing  wasCh  irt'<appj!ntm?nlof  the  gofpel  mia- 
ii^ry,  and  commiHionating  and  fending  forth  his  apo.  ic%  to  trach 
and  bapr:2e  all  nations.  O^  ihef«  ihirgi  we  have  sn  ;jce,uni  in 
Matih.  xxviii.  19.  20.  *•  Go  ye.  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations, 
bapt'zing  them  io  the  oaire  f^f  the  Fiither,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  HolyGhoPt  ;  teaching  them  to  obferve  all  thiiigs  whitfocvcr  J 
bave  comm  vidci  you  :  ^ind  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway.cvcn  unto  t^c 
end  of  the  world"  Tbcie  »rre  ihiec  thinj-s  done  by 
thU  one  inftru<;Uan  and  commi/rion  of  Chri^  to  b.s  Ap^filcs,  v:^ 

I.  The  appointmer^t  oMn^  office  or  the  gjfpel  mm. ftry,  Fof 
this  comji  fGon  whicm  ChiiU  g  vcs  to  hi«  apo^iits,  in  the  mQ% 
cirentiat  paru  of  it,  belongs  fO  ill  m.nifters  ;  4)1 ;  he  c{.o riles-,  by 
?ixtu?  of  i(|  wcce  miaiile*s  or  elucrs  ot  (he  cjuich.  $, 


,86  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T    of 

1.  Here  ii  fomething  peculiar  in  ihif  commlffion  of  the  tpof- 
del,  vi*  to  go  forth  from  one  nation  to  another,  preaching  ihc 
gofpcl  in  all  the  world.  The  apoftlei  had  fomething  ^iborc  what 
kclongcd  to  iheir  ordinary  charaticr  as  minifters ;  ihey  had  an  ex- 
iraordinary  power  of  teaching  and  ruling,  which  extended  to  ail 
the  cburchci  ;  aid  not  only  fcH  the  churches  which  then  were,  but 
fill  ihat  ih  lula  be  to  the  end  of  the  world  by  their  miniftry.  And 
fo  the  aipoftlca  wtre,  ai  it  were,  in  fubordinaiion  to  Chiift,  wade 
lov<nddtioDt  of  the  ChriHian  chuich.     Sccl^pb.ii.  20.  and  Kcf. 

n  .  14* 

J  Here  isan  appo:  ^toaentof  Chriftiao  baptifm.  This  or« 
diaancc  indeed hal  a  beginning  before;  John  the  Bapiift  aodChrifV 
bob  baptised.  Bui  uo^  efpecially  by  this  In/litution  is  it  cfta- 
blil>i'-cl  a»  an  ordin<.ncc  to  be  upheld  in  the  Cfarifiian  church  to 
the  cad  of  the  world -7—' — Tnc  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  fuppec 
bad  be?n  eftabliQatd  be  Of ^j aft  before  ChriCi's  crucifixion* 

IV*  The  next  t  i'g  to  ba  obfei  ved,  h  the  cnduirjg  the  apoOIct 
a'^d  others,  witbextraordia)>ry  and  miraculous  gifts  of  the  Holy 
Ghoit  J  fuch  as  the  gift  of  tongues,  the  gift  of  healing,  of  pro- 
phecy, He  Xv.t  Spuit  of  God  was  poured  out  in  great  abundance 
in  ibi>  reipcft  »  fo  that  not  only  miniftsrs,  but  a  very  great  part  of 
the  Chril^ians  through  the  world  were  endued  with  them,  both  old 
and  yourg  ;  not  only  cfiicers  and  more  honourable  perions,  but  th« 
aaitantr  fon  of  people,  fervants  and  handmaids,  were  commonly  ' 
endued  with  them,  agreeable  to  Joel's  pvophecy,  Joel  it.  28  29. 
of  wnlcb)  prophecy  the  Apoftie  Peter  takes  noiice,  that  it  is  accom* 
pliihed  in  this  d!lpanfatioo.  Ads  ii.  11. 

Ho ^  wonderful  a  difpcnfation  was  this!  Undtr  thtOMTeAameBtj 
but  few  had  fuch  honors  put  up  n  tbt'tn  byGod.  Mofes  wiflied  that 
9U  thcLord's  people  were  p-^ophcts,  Nomb.xi  tg  ;  whereas  Jo(bu^ 
thought  ii  much  that  Eldad  and  Medad  prophcficd.  But  now  we 
find  the  wifl»  ol  Mofci  fulfilled.  This  continued  in  a  very  consider, 
able  degree  to  the  end  of  the  apoftolic  age,  or  the  firft  hundred  years 
titer  (be  birth  ofChrift.woich  is  therefore  csllai  the  agaf  miraela. 

This  was  a  ij'C^t  means  of  the  fuecefs  of  the  gofpcl  in  that  age, 
and  Or'  cfiaW  (hing  the  ChriAian  church  in  all  parts  of  the  woild  ; 
and  not  only  tn  that  age,  but  in  all  ugcs  10  the  end  of  tbe  w»rld  s 
for  ChriAianity  being  ^y  this  means  cO^bl^fhed  through  {o  great  a 
part  of  the  known  wofld  bv  miracles,  ir  wai  after  th;4i  Jijcrc  eafily 
conttBU'^d  by  tTa-^»»?  n  j  and  then,  by  means  of  thefe  extraordinary 
gifts  of  th-*  H'>5  O^oft,  tbe  ■.pcftlcs,  and  others,  were  en«bled  to 
trFite  the  New  T  Asment,  to  be  an  infalhb'C  rule  of  faith  and  m-n» 
aers  tothe  chu'-ch^o  the  end  of  the  world  Fm  thermore,  tbcfc 
■ivraalei  fland  ^erorded  in  tloft-  wr/ttrgsasa  f^knding  proof  and 

iVitofie  ef  tbf  u\i\k  qI  the  Cbrifti«ii  r<|i£ioa  10  «U  agu» 


tkt  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  K.  187 

T.  The  next  thin  j  I  wronuld  obfcrve  if  the  revealing  thofc  g!o- 
lious  dodrtne^  of  the  gofpel  fuliy  ana  plainly,  which  had  unde' 
thcOUTctU'jieat  been  obfcureiy  rev ci led  The  dodrine  of  ChriU'c 
f£tUf action  and  nghtcoufacfs,  hit  afcenfion  and  glory,  and  the 
way  of  lalvation,  under  the  Old  Tcftarocnt,  weic  in  a  great  ffica- 
fure  hid  under  the  vail  of  typct  and  ftaadows,  and  more  obfcure 
reveUtioni,  a>  M  jfei  put  a  v/iil  on  hit  face  to  bide  the  ibining  of 
it :  but  now  the  vail  of  t^t  tempU  it  rent  from  the  top  to  the  bet- 
torn  ;  and  Cnnft,  the  antetype  of  Mofes,  ibines  :  the  ibining  of 
bit  faceii  without  a  vail  ',  2  Cor.  iii.  it.  1^  &i  18.  Now  thefc 
glorious  myi^eries  are  plainly  revealed,  which  we;c  in  a  great  tnea- 
fure  kept  fecret  from  the  foundation  of  the  worlds  Eph.  iii.  3.4* 
5.  ;  R.)n».  xvi.  if.  ••  According  to  the  revelation  of  the  m> Aery 
which  was  kept  iccret  fince  the  world  began,  but  now  is  uade  ma- 
n'lieft  i"  and,  C<»1.  i.  26.  **  Even  the  myflcry  which  hath  beeft 
bid  frca  ageij  and  geaeratioas*  but  now  u  m^ic  maniieA  10  bii 
faints." 

Thut  the  Sun  of  righteoufnefi,  after  it  ts  rifcn  from  under  th« 
earth,  bc^ini  to  (bi  \c  forth  clearly,  and  cot  only  by  a  dim  rcftec* 
tion  ai  it  did  before.     Chrift,  before  his  death,  revealed  piany 
things  more  dearly  than  ever  they  h^d  been  revealed  in  the  Oid 
Te^ament ;  but  the  great  m)  fleiies  oi  Chrift'b  redemption,  and  re« 
conciliation  by  his  death,  ana  JLAtfication  by  #is  rigbieoufnefs, 
were  not  fo  phinly  reve4ed  befo*e  Chrlft't  rtfurrc^'tion.     Chri/l 
gave  this  reafpn  iar  it,  that  he  would  not  put  new  wine  into  old 
bt^i<'<«  ;  *nd  ii  was  g'^adu.ylly  done  arter  Chrift's  refurredion.     la 
all  hkeUh.iod,  Chrii   mucti  norc  cleaily  intlrufted  them  pcrfonal* 
ly  aficrbiftrefurre.'ho'i,  ano  baiorc  his  afcenfton  i   as  we  read  that 
bf  CO  .cirjwd  with  them  foiiy  d^yi,  fp^iaking  of  tbe  things  pertaia- 
in^  otbe  k:ngiom,  A'^»  i   J    •  and  that   •*heop<rned  their  un- 
der <t,iidin]^«,  th.it^hey  mig ut  undcrftaid   the  fcriptures, "    Luke 
XX. V   4|.     ^u:  the  clear  rcvcbtion  o^  thcfc  things  was  principally 
after  t.e  pouring  oot  of  the  Spirit  on  the  day  of  Penteceft,    a* 
grtc  »b  e  \r.  Crift'?  pr«:mif» ,  J.  ha  xvi.  it.  13.     "  I  have  yet  ma- 
D>  (h  •  g  to  iay  unto  you>u^  ye  cannot  bear  item  now.  Hj^beit, 
when  mc  &.>i.)c  of  truth  is  come,  he  Aiill  guide  you  into  all  truth." 
This  c-ear  revel  tion  o*  the  myileai;!  of  the  gofpel,as  they  are  deli- 
vered, we  have  chiefly  through  the  hands  of  (he  ApcA^t   i^^iul,  by 
whofe  wrtingt  a  child  ay  come  to  know  more  of  the  do£)(ines  of 
the  gofpel,  in  many  refpf  d^-.  ib^n  the  greaicA  prophets  knew  ua« 
4er  the  darknefs  of  the  O  &  leAament. 

Thui  tre  fee  how  the  light  of  the  gofpcl,  which  i)egan  to  dawn 
immediately  after  the  fall,  and  gradually  grew  and  increafcd  thro* 
«ll  tbe  ages  of  the  OM  T^ftimcnt,  as  we  olferved  as  we  went  a* 
long,  IS  row  come  to  the  lig>«t  of  perfefl  day,  and  the  brightnefi 
of  Ihc  fun  ibiaing  forsh  io  his  unveiled  glory* 


i88  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   of 

VI.  The  next  thing  th^t  I  woold  obfcrvff,  is  the  apporutajent  of 
ihc  office  of  deacons  in  tne  ChriHian  churrh,  vyhitb  \^c  b.vc  an 
account  of  in  the  6  h  chapter  of  the  A<'ts,  to  like  care  lor  the  out- 
ward fupply  of  the  mr  mSeis  of  Chrift's  church,  and  the  exercife  of 
that  great  Chriftian  virtue  of  cbariry. 

VII.  The  callioR,  ad  qualifying,  and  fending  thrApoAle  Piu!. 
This  was  begun  in  h-s  conve.fian  ws  be  was  ^ojf>g  lu  Ddmafcusand 
was  one  of  the  grca'eft  means  of  tic  lucccis  of  Cbrjft's  redemption 
that  followed  :  for  this  fuacefs  ivai  more  b)  the  lahouis,  preaching, 
and  writings  of  this  Apoftle,  than  all  the  other  apofiks  put  toge- 
ther. F«r,  ashe  fays,  i  Cor,  xv.  lo.  he  "laboured  more  abun- 
dantly than  they  all  ;"  (o  his  faccefs  was  cnoie  abundant  than  that 
of  them  all.  As  he  was  the  apoftie  of  the  G^aule  ,  fo  it  was  main- 
ly by  his  ininiriry  that  the  Gwntiles  were  called,  snd  ihc  gofpel 
fpread  through  the  world  ;  and  our  nation,  and  the  oihcr  nations 
of  Europs,  have  the  gofpel  among  them,  chicflv  through  his  means; 
and  he  was  more  employed  by  the  H  )ly  G^ijii  in  revealing  the 
glorious  dodrincs  of  the  gofpel  by  his  writings,  for  the  ufc  of  the 
chu»^  in  sU  sgcs,  than  all  the  otfter  apotilcs  uktn  together. 

VIII.  Tne  next  thing  i  would  obfervc,  is  the  inftiiution  of  ec- 
clefiiiVieal  council*,  for  deciding  controverfiej,  and  ordering  the 
a^^irs  of  the  cllbrch  of  Chrift,  of  which  wc  have  ao  account  in  the 
iSth  chapter  of  Ads. 

IX.  The  laf^  thing  I  fb^H  mention  under  #iij  head,  it  the  coi»- 
mitting  the  Ncw-TcftaBacst  to  writir.g  Tc is  was  all  written  af- 
ter the  refurredioo  of  Chrifl ;  and  all  vvr?ticn,  either  by  the  spof- 
8le«,  or  by  the  evangclifts,  who  we.c  companions  of  the  ap6ttlea. 
Ail  the  new  tcftamcnt  was  wrincn  by  the  .p  <f^«ea  iherafeives,  ex- 
eepling  what  was  wriiten  bv  M  rk  ai^d  Luk*.  vx  ihc  gofptls  cl' 
Mark  and  Luke,  and  the  bo  k  f  ths  A  rs  oi  I'.c  Apofiles.  He 
ahat  wrote  the  gofpel  of  M^:k,  is  fuppufcd  to  be  he  wLofc  molhcf 
was  Mafy,  in  whofe  houfc  incy  woe  pi-^yinp  lO  P«r  er,  when  he, 
brought  out  of  prifon  by  the  sngri,  c^m-.  and  kno;  kcd  at  the  door  ; 
of  which  wc  read.  Ads  xii.  12.  "  A  ad  w^tri  he  had  confidcred 
the  thing,  he  came  to  the  hcufcof  iVla)y  the  mbrher  o-  John,  whofe 
firname  was  Mark^  where  mi<ny  were  gwih-re  J  ?  "ge»he',  praying," 
He  was  thecompanioa  of  theapofilcs  BamsDas  an-iSsul :  Ads  xv. 
37.  **  And  Barnabas  deicrmiDcd  to  t&ke  w-nk  them  J jbo,  whoft 
fifname  was  Mark,"  He  was  Barnabas's  fiber's  fon,  and  feemt 
fometimcs  to  have  been  a  companion  of  the  Apo^le  P<iul  :  C&f. 
ivi  eo.  "  Ariftarchus,  my  fellow- ptifoner,  faluteth  you,  and 
Marcus,  fiHer's  fan  to  Btrnabas*;  touching  whom  ya  received  com* 
mandmsnt  :  if  he  come  anto  yeu,  receive  hia ''  The  apoftlei 
fcera  to  have  made  great  account  of  him,  as  appears  by  thofe  places, 
?ad  alfo  by  Ads  xii.  25,  [[  Aa4  IJaraabas  and  Saul  returned  from 

Jerufalemi 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  1S9 

Jerusalem,  and  look,  wiih  them  John,  whofc  firnamc  was  Mark  ;** 
and  Ar\%  xiii  ^.  "  And  when  they  were  at  Silatnis,  they  preach- 
ed the  word  o^  G  >J  in  the  fyn'^jjfogu?*  of  the  Jtws  ;  and  they  had 
alfo  Joho  to  their  rn'riiAc  ,"  ^n6.  zTitn,  iv,  II,  *V  Only  Luke 
is  with  me  :  take  M  •»  k  and  bring  him  with  ihec  ;  for  he  is  pr©^ 
ft^^Hc  to  nn«  ior  the  irinirtry.'* 

This  Lukc.'who  wrote  the  'gofpel  of  L  ke  an-*  the  bock  of  A<f^f, 
wa§  a  great  corTp»ninn  of  the  ApoftK  P^ul.  He  is  fpckcn  of  as 
being  with  him  in  thtf  faftm?ntior.ed  pl?cc,  and  fpcaks  of  himfelf 
ai  accompanying  him  in  his  travels  in  the  hifloiy  of  the  A£^s ;  and 
therefore  he  fpe?.ki  in  th<'  firft  perfon  plural,  when  fpeaking  of 
Paul's  travels  faying:.  W:;  went  to  fucb  and  fuch  a  phce  ;  We 
fct  fail;  Wc  hnc^cd  from  fuch  a  pUcc  ;  and  landed  at  fuch 
a  place.  He  was  g'-c^.tly  hel  ved  by  the  Apoftlt  Paul  : 
he  it  that  Wclovrd  ph}fic  an  fpokrn  o%  Col  iv,  14  Tke 
ApoAlc  ranks  M  k  and  Luke  amor.jj  bis  fellow  labourcr», 
Philemon,  24.  *'  Marcus,  A  iftarcw,  D.mas,L6C<ii«  my  fcUoMT* 
labourer?." 

The  reft  of  the  books  were  all  written  by  the  apof^lcs  thcmfelrst. 
Tbebooks  of  the  N« IV  Tf  lament  arc  fither  hifloricnl,  or  doft- 
rinal,  or  prophetic  J  The  hiftorical  books  ate  the  writings  of 
the  four  evangcUOs,  giving  uf  the  hif>ory  o*  Chrif^,  ard  bit  pur« 
chafeof  redemption,  and  his  refurre^ion  and  afccnfion  ;  and  the 
Afts  of  the  apoftles,  giving  an  'jccount  of  the  great  things  by  wh'ch 
the  Chriftian  chureh  .was  firfl  eftabliibed  and  propagated.  The 
dodriaal  books  are  the  epilHes.  Tbcfe,  moft  of  ibcm,  we  havs 
from  the  great  Aj^ioftle  Paul.  And  we  have  one  prophetical  book, 
which  takes  place  after  the  end  of  the  hi/lory  of  the  whole  Bible, 
tad  gives  ao  account  of  the  gre^t  events  which  wrre  to  come  topifs, 
by  which  the  work  of  redemptioo  was  to  b:  carried  on  to  the  c&d 
of  ihe  world. 

All  thcfe  bookf  are  fuppofed  to  have  been  written  before  the  de» 
ilrudlioa  of  Jcrufalem,  excepting  thofc  which  were  written  by  the 
Apof^le  John,  who  lived  the  lorg^-ft  ot  all  the  apoftlesr,  and  wote 
what  he  wrote  after  the  def*ru«*.t!on  of  J.-rufilem,   as  is  fuppsfcd*/^ 
To  this  beloved  difcipic  it  wis  th«it  Chrift  revealed  thcfe  wonder-" 
f«l  things  which  were  to  come  to  pafs  in  his  chuich  to  the  end  of 
tim«  ;  and  he  was  the  psrfon  that  put  'he  fi » 'Thing   hand  to  'he  [ 
canon  of  the  fcripturcs,  and  fealcd  t»^e  whole  of  it,     S-.  thatroir'' 
the  canon  of  fcripture,  that  great  and  (landfiag  writrtn  iu!e,  which 
was  begun  about  Mofes't  time    is  corrplcar^d  and  Tettled,   and  a 
ojrfe  denounced  againft  him  that  adds    anything  10  if.  or  denji- 
cKhei  any  thing  from  it.     And  fo  all  rbinp,  src  cAjihrfiicd   and 
and  completed  which  relate  to   the   sppotntrd  means  of  grace. 
All  the  fitted  means  of  grace  were  fiuiihcd  ia  the  apoAolieal  age, 

QT 


»9»  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

or  before  the  deaihof  the  Apoftlc  J.hn,  and  arc  to  remain  unal- 
ttfcd  to  thed;iy  of  j  j  ^g?  ntnt. 

Thus  far  we  have  co«,fiJcred  thofc  thingi  hy  which  the  mcani  of 
grace  were  given  and  cAab!iihcd  In  the  Corifuan  church. 

}  II.  Th  K  other  thing  propofed  relating  to  the  fucccfs  of 
Cb:  i^*i  redemption  during  the  church's  continuance  under  the  meant 
of  grace,  was  to  (how  bo«*'  this  fticccfA  wai  Caffied  on  ;  which  it 
wh^t  I  would  now  proceed  to  do. 

Here  it  is  worthy  so  be  remembered,  fhai  the  C-JiAIan  church 
during;  its  con?iaua£:c£  un:lcr  the  mc^uiA  of  gr^ce^  1%  iu  ti^o  very 
d.tifeient  ftttM. 

i.  In  a  fufTcrinjr,  sffl!(^cd,  perfecnfcd  fts?e,  as,  for  the  moft 
pari  it  iiy  fvum  the  rcfurrcdion  oiChrifttill  tiKfaii  of  Aaii' 
chrift. 

2.  In  a  Aate  c^  pesce  and  profprmy  ;  which  h  the  fste  that 
the  chj-ch,  for  the  moil  part,  i,»  »u  be  -n  sfte»  'he  ialt  of  Ami- 
chrifr. 

Fir  sT,Iwou1d(hc»vhov»  thttiU^ccfiO^Chri'-/*  r-^cinpfioi  is  car- 
ried en  duiing  thcu>nunu»nce  of  th«  church'.*  (Lff.ing  '?--^i*!,Uam 
the  rcfurreftion  of  Chrift  to  the  fall  of  Antichrsfb.  TKis  fpace 
i>r  tiai/.,  ^cthe  tiVI  pirt,  «»  *  ftat-cof  the  cburcb't  fiffi  ings,  &  > 
ij  fo  reorcfe.  ted'n  fcripturc.  Indeed  God  is  p'eafed,  out  of  love 
fend  pity  tohi3el^:d,  to  g'4ial  tni«y  ioferai-ffi^w^-.  o-  the  chu'ch'i 
fsjff«ring»  during  this  dms  vj^Vt  ft?;-  ;t'Ofe-y<i  of  Mi-ulinioa  are  at 
ft  were  (hort  ned*  -  B:.«  j^  v>ifc  C^rift's  rcfurrcdion  till  the  fall  of 
Ami«hr«.'^,  .*  * r.^s -<ppoiot2d  day  of  Zion's  ♦rcu'.'et,  Dj  irg  tbit 
fp^cs  oi  liaka,  for  ihf.  mo^  part,  fcm^-  p.rt  or  other  of  the  church 
h  under  pcrfecution  ;  and  great  part  of  the  tiaae,  the  whole  churchy 
or  at  !a*\  the  generality  o'  God's  people,  have  been  petfccuted. 

For  the  *i.'ft  three  huadred  years  after  Chrift,  tho  church  was  for 
the  moft  pait  in  a  i^ate  of  great  affliction,  the  cbje(5t  of  reproach 
and  pcrfecution ;  firft  by  the  Jew?,  and  theo  by  ihcHisthea.  A.'t«?r 
ihjt,  from  the  baginnirg  ot  Confi-ntine's  time,  the  church  had  rtii 
and  profptrity  for  a  little  while  ;  which  it  rcprcfcnted  in  Rct.  v  I. 
at  the  beginnirg,  by  the  ?ngrV^  folding  the  four  winds  for  a  little 
while.  Bit  prcfcntly  a^ier,  the  ch«rch  again  fufFcred  perfccutioa 
frpm  the  An^nft ;  and  after  that,  Antichriil  rofe,  and  the  c^u'^ck 
waa  driven  away  iDto  ihe  wiMen  efs,  and  was  kept  down  in  ob* 
fcurity,  and  centcmpt,  and  ftiffering,  for  a  lorg  timc,undcr  An  !• 
chrift,  before  the  reformation  by  Luther  and  others.  And  flicc 
the  reformation,  the  church's  perfecutionsh-ve  beer  beyon'^all  that 
crer  were  before.  Though  fomc  part*  of  Grid's  church  f  imc  timet 
baTe  had  tc(^.^  yet  to  this  dsy,  for  the  moft  part,  the  true  church  it 
Tdry  much  kept  uader  by  its  enemies,  and  fooie  pa* is  of  it  under 

{litYOUl 


the  Work  of   KEDEMPtlON.  191 

gret ious  pcrfccutioa  ;  and  fo  wc  may  cxpeft  it  will  coan'rut  till 
the  f«ll  of  AatiohTx/^  ;  and  tbcn  will  come  the  appointed  day  of 
the  church'i  profperity  on  earth,  the  fet  time  in  which  God  will 
favGur  Zion,  the  time  when  the  faint*  Ihall  not  be  kept  uiidcr  by 
wicked  men,  ai  it  has  btea  hitherto  ;  but  wherein  they  ih^ll  bz  up- 
pctmoft,  and  fhaU  reign  on  earth,  a4  it  iifaid,  Fcv.  v.  10.  "And 
the  kingdom  (hill  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  faiuii  of  the  moft 
High,"  Dan.  vii.  27. 

This  fuffcring  ftaic  of  the  church  11  in  fcripturc  reprcfcotcd  aj  si 
ftate  of  the  church's  travail,  John  rvi.  20.  21.  and  R.!v.  xii.  i.  z^ 
What  the  church  is  in  travail  ftriving  to  bring  forth  during  thh 
time,  is  that  glory  and  profperiiy  of  the  church  tvliich  Ojail  be  after 
the  fall  of  Atitichrift,  and  then  Ihall  (he  bring  f&riL  her  child.  Thifl 
is  a  long  time  of  the  church's  trouble  and  afflid^ion,  and  is  fo  fpokea 
of  in  fcfipture,  thd*  it  be  fpoken  of  as  being  but  for  a  liulc  fcafon, 
in  comparifon  of  the  eternal  profperiiy  of  the  church.  Hence  tfa6 
church,  under  the  long  continuance  of  this  afHi^ion,  cries  out,  as 
in  Rev.  vi.  10,  **  How  long,  O  Lord,  holy  and  t7iii^,\  doil  thou 
aot  judge  and  avenge  o'Jr  blood  on  them  that  dwcH  oa  the  earth  ?'*, 
And  we  are  told,  that  •'  white  robes  wer6  given  to  every  one  o| 
them  ;  and  it  wasfaid  unto  them,  that  they  ibould  lefl  jret  for  a 
little  feafon,  until  their  fello^i^  fervants  alfo,  and  their  brethren^ 
that  fliould  be  killed  as  they  were,  Hiould  be  fulfiled."  So,  Dan« 
rii.  6.  **  How  long  {hail  it  be  to  the  end  of  thefe  wonders  ?" 

It  is  to  be  obferved,  that  during  the  time  of  thefe  fufferirgicf  the 
church,  the  main  inflrument  of  their  fuiferiogs  has  been  theRomaiit 
government :  her  aiTlidions  hav«  almoA  all  along  been  fromRoxhe. 
That  is  therefore  in  the  New  Teftament  called  Babylon  ;  bccaufc^ 
as  of  old  the  troubles  cf  the  eity  Jcrufalem  were  mainly  from  that 
advcrfe  city  Babylon,  fo  the  troubles  of  the  Cbrif^ian  church,  the 
fpiritual  Jerufalem,  during  the  long  time  cf  its  tribulation,  h  main- 
ly  from  Rome. '  Before  the  time  of  Conftantine,  the  troubles  of  the 
Chriftian  church  were  from  Heathen  Rome  :  fiace  that  lime,  its 
troobles  have  been  mainly  from  Anticbriftian  Rome.  As  of  oldi 
the  captivity  of  the  Jews  ceafcd  on  the  deftrudion  of  Babylon,  io 
the  time  of  the  trouble  of  the  Cbriilian  church  will  ceafe  with  the 
deftru<^ion  of  the  church  of  Rome,  that  fpiritual  Babylon. 

In  Ihowing  how  the  fuccefs  of  Chrift's  redemption  is  carried  oa 
during  this  time  of  the  church's  tribulation,  1  vrculd, 

t ,  Show  how  it  was  carried  on  till  the  deflru(flion  of  Jerufalcaij 
with  which  ended  the  firft  great  difpenfaiion  of  Providence  which 
is  called  Chrtjt't  coming  in  his  kingdom, 

2.  How  it  was  carried  on  from  thence  to  the  deftruaion  of  the 
Heathen  empire  in  the  time  of  ConAaatine^  which  is  the  fecond 
liifpcafjition  called  Chri/'t  cowing  ^^ 


igt  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

J.  Hew  it.is  csrricd  on  from  thence  to  the  deftrui^ion  of  An- 
tichriit,  when  wiU  be  accompifticd  the  third  great  event  called 
Chriji's  coming,  and  vTith  which  the  dayi  of  the  church's  tribuUtion 
snd  travail  end. 

I.  1  would  fhovv  how  the  fucccfs  of  Chrift's  purchafe  of  r«- 
dctnptioa  was  carried  on  from  Chrift's  rcfurrcftton  to  the  dcHrudll- 
on  of  Jcrufakm.  In  fpeaking  of  this,  I  would,  l.  take  notice  of 
the  fuccefs  itfeif ;  and,  2.  the  oppoHtion  made  againft  it  by  the  ene- 
mies of  It ;  and,  3.  the  terrible  judgcmsntsofGod  on  thofc  enemies. 

I.  I  would  obfcrvc  the  fuccefs  itfdf.  Scon  after  Chrift  had 
iirtifhcd  the  purchafe  of  redemption,  and  was  gone  into  heaven,  k 
entered  into  the  holy  of  holies  with  his  own  bicod,  there  began  a 
g!orioa»  fuccefs  of  what  he  had  done  and  fufT^red.  Having  under- 
mined the  foundation  of  Suan's  kingdom,  it  bcgsn  to  fall  2pacc# 
Swiftly  did  it  bafien  to  ruin  in  ihe  world,  which  might  well  be  com- 
pared to  Sjtan's  falling  like  lightning  from  heaven.  Satan  before 
had  exalted  his  throne  very  high  in  this  world,  even  to  the  very 
ftars  of  heaven,  reigning  with  great  glory  in  bis  Heathen  Roman 
empire  ;  but  nevsr  before  had  he  fuch  a  do'vnfal  as  he  had  foon  af- 
ter Chrifi's  afcenJlon.  He  had,  we  may  fuppcfe,  been  very  lately 
triumphing  in  a  fuppofcd  victory,  hiving  brought  about  the  death 
of  Chrift,  which  he  doubllefs  gloried  in  as  the  grcateft  feat  that 
ever  he  did  ;  and  probably  iinagiaed  he  ha  J  totaUy  defeated  God's 
defign  by  him.  But  he  was  quickly  made  fenfiblc,  that  he  bad 
only  been  ruining  hii  own  kingdom,  when  he  faw  it  tumbling  fo 
faft  fo  foon  after,  as  a  conftquence  of  the  dcith  of  Chrift.  For 
Chtift,  by  his  death,  having  purchafcd  the  Hc>ly  Spirit,  and  hav- 
ing afccnded,  and  received  the  Spirit,  be  j  ou;ed  it  forth  abun- 
dantly for  the  convcrlioa  of  thoufands  and  aillHors  of  fouls- 

N:vGr  had  Chrift's  kingdoixi  besafo^ftl  up  in  the  world.  There 
probably  were  more  fouls  converted  in  the  age  of  the  spcftles  than 
had  been  before  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  till  that  time. 
Thus  God  fo  foon  begins  glorioufly  to  accomplifh  his  promifc  to 
his  Son,  wherein  he  had  piomifcd,  that  be  Ihould  fee  his  feed,  and 
that  the  pleafure  of  the  Lord  fbould  profpcr  In  his  hand,  if  he  would 
make  bis  foul  an  offering  or  fin.    And, 

(i)  Here  is  to  obfervcd  the  fuccefs,  which  the  j^ofpcl  had  a- 
mong  the  jews :  for  God  firfl  began  with  thsm.  He  being  about 
to  rejc6l  the  main  body  of  that  people,  firft  calls  in  his  elcdt  froito 
among  them,  before  he  for fook  them,  to  turn  to  the  Gentiles, 
It  was  fo  in  former  great  and  dreadful  j-idgcraents  of  God  oh  that 
nation  ;  the  bulk  of  them  were  deftroyed,  and  only  a  remnant  fav- 
cd,  or  reformed.  So  it  was  in  the  rcjcftion  of  the  ten  tribes,  long 
before  this  rcje£lion  :  the  bulk  of  the  ten  tribes  were  rejc6^ed,whcn 
they  left  the  true  worfbip  of  God  ia  Jeroboam's  time,  |and  after- 
ward! 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  193 

^ards  more  fully  in  Abab's  lime.  Bu»  yet  ihcrt  waj  a  rcmnsnt  of 
them  that  God  refer vcd,  A  number  left  their  poffcflicns  in  ihcfe 
txibci,  and  went  and  fettled  in  the  tribes  of  Judah  and  Benjamin. 
And  afterwards  there  ivcre  feven  thoufand  in  Ahab's  time,  who  had 
not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal,  And  10,  in  thi  captivity  into  Ba- 
bylon, only  a  remnant  of  them  ever  returned  to  ibcir  own  land. 
And  fo  now  again,  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  people  were  rc- 
jeftcd  entirely,  but  fome  few  were  favcd.  Therefore  the  Hcly 
GhoA  compares  this  refervation  of  a  number  that  were  converted 
by  the  preaching  of  the  apoftles,  to  thofc  former  remnants :  Rom, 
ix.  27.  Efaias  alfo  crieth  concerning  Ifracl,  '*  Though  the  num- 
ber of  the  children  be  as  the  fand  of  the  fea,  a  remnant  fhall  be 
Uvcd,"     Sec  K.  x.  22. 

The  glorious  fucccfs  of  the  gcfp'e  among  the  Jews  after  Chriifl'a 
a  fcenfion,  began  by  the  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  upon  the  day 
of  Pcntccoft,  of  which  we  read  in  Atfls  ii.  So  woridcrful  was 
ibe  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit,and  fo  remarkable  and  fwifi  the  effcft 
of  it,  that  we  read  of  three  thoufand  who  were  converted  to  the 
Chriflian  faiih  in  one  day,  A8.$  ii,  41.  P;ob5lbly  the  greater  par^ 
of  thefe  were  favingly  converted.  And  after  this,  we  read  o'God'j 
adding  to  the  church  daily  fudi  as  ihould  be  favcd,  vcrf.  47. 
And  foou  after,  wc  read,  that  the  number  of  them  were  about  five 
thoufand.  Thus  were  not  only  a  multitude  coriveitcd,  but  the  church 
was  then  eminent  in  piety,  as  appears  by Af^s  ii.  46.  47.  iv-  32. 

Thus  theChriftian  church 'was  Hrft  of  all  of  the  nation  cflfr^e!  : 
and  therefore,  when  th<  Gentiles  were  called,  they  were  but  as  it 
were  added  to  Ifrael,  to  the  feed  of  Abrahsm  .  They  were  added 
to  the  Chriftian  church  of  Ifracl,  as  the  profelytes  of  old  wcic  to 
the  Mofaic  church  of  Ifrael  ;  and  fo  were  as  it  were  only  grafted 
oa  the  f^cck  of  Abraham,  and  were  not  a  diftintl  tiec  ;  for  ihsy 
arc  all  f^ill  the  feed  of  Abrahsm  and  Ifrael;  ss  Ruth,  the  Moa- 
bitefj,  and  Uriah  the  H'ttitc,  and  ether  prcfclytca  of  old,  vtccz 
ihc  fame  people,  and  ranked  as  the  feed  of  Ifrsel. 

So  the  .Chriftian  church  at  firftbegnn  at  Jerufskm,  and  from 
thence  was  propagated  to  all  Rations  :  fo  that  this  ch«rch  of  Jcru- 
falcm  was  the  church  that  was  as  it  were  the  mother  of  all  other 
churches  in  the  world  ;  3;}jreeablc  to  the  p-oph*rcy.  If.  ii.  }.  4. 
**  Out  of  Zicn  fhall  go  fo-lh  the  law,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
from  Jerufalcm  :  and  he  fhall  yidgc  among  the  nations,  z^d  rebuke 
many  people,"  So  that  the  vvhoJe  church-  of  Go4  is  f:i\l  God't 
Jirufalem  :  they  are  his  fpiritaal  Jerufalcm,  nnd  are  as  it  w\^re  cn» 
ly  added  to  the  church,  which  was  begun  in  thclitcrrl  Jo:ruf?\?em." 

After  this,  we  read  of  many  thouf-inds  of  Jews  that  believed  ;^ 
Jcrufclem,  A6ls  xxi.  20  And  fo  wc  read  of  mul«itur3cs  of  jtrws 
whQ  were  coavciicd  in  oibcr  cities  of  Juaca  ;  and  not  cnly  fo,  bm 

cvci\ 


591  A    H  I  3  T  O  R  Y  of 

ev«n  In  other  parts  of  the  world.  F»>r  wbcrc-cvc?  th<?  apoftisi  wcil, 
if  tfe.'jre  vjrcrc  any  Jsvrs  there,  their  manner  was,  fiflt  lo  go  into 
«he  fynago^uci  of  the  Jewi,  and  preach  the  go^p^J  »o  ihcno,  and 
many  in  one  place  and  another  believed  ;  as  inD'^cnafcus  &c  Aziicch, 
and  xnany  oihcr  phcc»  that  v/t  rcsd  of  in  the  Aftj  of  the  Apoftlej. 

In  thvs  pouring  out  of  the  fpirif,  which  began  at  the  Ponlcccft 
follovying  Chrift's  afcenfjon,  began  tb.Jt  firf^  gsca?  difpenfaiioa 
which  is  called  Chri^' s  cofning  in  kis  kingdom.  ChrJfti  coaiirg 
thus  in  3  fpiriiu^I  n^anncr  for  the  gloiious  felting  up  cf  his  kingdocQ 
in  the  world,  is  reprefcnipd  by  Chrii'^  himfclf  as  his  coming  dowii 
ffrom  heaven,  whither  bf  hsd  sfccndcd,  Joh?)  xiv.  i8.  There  Chrift 
caving  been  fpcaking  of  his  sfcenfiGn,  faya  **  I  will  not  Jtiivc  ycu 
comfonlcfs  ;  1  will  coaic  uuto  you,"  fpc^king  of  his  conaitig  by 
ihc  coming  of  the  Comforter,  tbc  Spliii  of  truth.  And,  y«jfc  28. 
**  Ye  have  heard  bow  1  faid  unto  you,  I  go  away,  and  ccme  again 
unto  you."  Thus  the  apofiks  began  to  fee  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
come  with  power,  as  he  promii'^d  they  fnould,   Maik  ix.  s. 

(2)  What  is  qext  iq  h^  obfervttd  ii  the  facccfs  of  Khe  gcfpe!  among 
5hc  Sjcoaritans.  After  the  fucccfs  of  the  gofpel  had  been  io  glor  ioLfiy 
begun  aq;^ong  the  proper  Jcwa,  tiie  Spirit  of  God  was  next  wonder- 
fully poured  out  on  the  Samaritans,  who  were  not  jews  by  nation^ 
but  the  pofierijy  of  thoic  whpm  the  king  of  Ai^yria  icnicved  frooi 
different  part!  cf  his  domir^ons,  and  fettled  in  the  land  thai  was 
inhabited  by  the  ten  tribes,  whom  he  carried  captive.  Eut  yet  they 
bad  receded  the  liv^e  bocks  of  Moftr,  and  pradifcd  nroft  cf  th^ 
xite?  of  ihe  law  of  Mofcs,  and  fo  were  9  foil  of  mongrel  ^t^^ys, 
Wc  do  net  find  them  reckoned  as  Gentiles  in  the  New-TtAauitut  i 
for  the  calling  of  thcGentiks  is  fpokcn  of  as  a  new  thing  after  tbisa 
beginning  with  the  converfion  of  Cornelius.  But  yet  it  was  an 
i'lftancc  of  making  that  a  people  that  were  no  people  ;  for  they  had 
corrupted  the  religion  which  Mofes  ccoiaiandcd,  and  did  not  ga 
up  tojerufalem  to  wortlnp,  but  had  another  temple  of  their  owk  m 
Mount  Gcrizzim  ;  which  is  the  mountain  of  which  the  woman  o^ 
Samaria  fpeaki,  when  ftie  fays,  "  Our  fathers  worli^ipped  in  this 
mountain."  Chrift  there  docs  not  approve  of  their  feparation  from 
thii  Jews  ;  but  tells  the  woman  of  Sssparia,  that  they  woiihipped 
8hcy  knew  not  what,  and  that  fslvaticn  is  of  the  Jews,  But 
now  faivanon  is  brought  from  the  Jews  to  them  by  the  preachbg  of 
?hilip,  (excepting  that  bcforcCbrirt  bad  feme  fuccefs  among  ihcm) 
with  whofe  preaching  there  was  a  glorious  pouring  out  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  the  city  of  Samaria  ,  where  wc  are  told,  that 
*'  the  people  believed  Philip  preaching  the  things  concerning  tiic 
kingdom  cf  Chrift,  and  were  baptized,  both  men  and  women  S 
and  that  thtre  was  great  joy  in  that  city^"  Afts  viii.  S. —  iz^ 

Tb'jf  Cbriii  bad  a  gbikus  harvcft  ia  Saiparu  j  which  i»  what 

Cbrift 


ihe  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  155 

Cfarift  feemt  to  have  bad  refpefl  to,  in  what  he  faid  to  his  dlfciplct 
St  Jacob's  well  three  or  four  years  before,  on  occafioa  of  the  people 
of  Samaria's  appearir  g  at  a  diilance  in  the  fields  comh^g  to  the  ph:cs 
where  ChriA  y^an,  at  the  indigatioo  of  the  woman  of  Samaria.  Oa 
that  occalioD,  be  bids  his  difcipJes  lift  up  their  eyes  to  t&c  6eld, 
for  thai  they  were  white  to  the  harveft,  John  iv.  35.  36.  The  dif- 
pofition  which  the  people  of  Samaria  (ho wed  towards  ChriA  aT>d  his 
gofpcl,  (bowed  that  they  were  ripe  for  the  harveft.  But  now 
the  barvefl  is  come  by  Philip's  preaching.  There  ufed  to  be  i  moil 
bitter  enmity  between  the  Jews  and  Samaritani ;  but  now,  by  their 
coDvcrfioo,  the  ChriAian  Jews  and  Samaritans  are  all  happily 
united  :  for  in  Cbrift  Jefus  is  neither  Jew  nor  Samaritan,  but  Cfarifi 
is  ail  in  all.  This  was  a  glorious  inftance  of  the  wolf's  dwelling 
with  the  lamb,  and  the  leopard's  lying  down  with  the  kid. 

(3)  The  next  thing  to  be  obfcrved  is  the  fuccefs  there  was  of  the 
gofpel  in  caliiog  the  Gentiles.  This  was  a  great  and  glorious  dif> 
pcnfation  of  divine  providence,  much  fpokcn  of  in  the  prophecict 
of  (he  Old  Teftament,  and  fpoken  of  by  the  apoftles  time  after  time^ 
as  a  moft  glorious  event  of  Chrift's  redemption.  This  was  begun 
io  the  eonverfion  of  Cornelius  and  his  family,  greatly  to  the  ad- 
miration of  Peter,  who  was  ufed  as  the  infirumcnt  of  it,  and  of 
ihofe  who  were  with  him,  and  of  ihofc  who  were  informed  of  U  i 
as  you  may  fee.  Ads  x.  and  xi.  The  next  inftance  of  it  that  we 
have  any  account  of,  was  in  the  converfion  of  great  numbers  of 
Gentiles  in  Cyprus,  and  Cyrene,  and  Antioch,  by  the  difciplei 
that  were  fcatiered  sbroad  by  the  perfecution  which  arofe  about 
Stephen,  as  we  have  an  account  in  Acis  xi.  19.  to.  21.  Prcfently 
upon  this  the  difciples  began  to  be  called  Chriftians  6r(\  at  Antioch^ 
ycffc  26. 

After  this,  vafi  multitudes  of  Gentiles  were  converted  in  many 
different  pans  of  the  world,  chiefly  by  the  miniflry  of  the  Apoi'^lc 
Paul, a  glorious  pouring  out  of  Jbe  Spirit  accpmpanying  his  preach- 
ing in  one  place  and  another.  Multitudes  flocked  into  the  church 
of  Chrift  in  a  great  number  of  cities  where  the  Apoftlc  came.  So 
the  number  of  the  members  of  the  Chriftian  church  that  were  Geti" 
liics,  foon  fai  exceeded  the  number  of  itsjewilh  members  ;  yra  fo, 
that  in  Icfs  than  ten  years  time  after  Paul  was  fent  forth  from  Antx- 
Qch  to  preach  to  the  Gentiles,  it  was  faid  of  him  and  his  compa- 
?iions,  that  they  had  turned  the  world  upfidc  down:  A<^s  xvii.6, 
**  Thcfe  that  have  turned  the  world  upfide  down  arc  come  hither 
alfo."  But  the  mof^  remarkable  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  in  a 
particular  city  tbag  we  have  any  account  of  in  the  New  Tefta- 
ment, fccms  to  be  that  in  the  city  of  Ephefus,  which  was  a  very 
gread  city.  Of  this  we  have  aft  account  in  Afts  xix.  There  wat 
iUo  a  very  estr&ordinaiy  iDgathering  ol  fcuU  at  Connih,  one  ol 

Ihc 


S96  A    HISTORY 

the  greateft  citjjs  in  d!  Greece.  And  after  ibis  many  were  con' 
vcrtsd  in  Rome^  th-s  chjcf  city  of  all  the  work!  ;  and  thcgofpci 
was  prcpcgated  into  all  parts  of  the;  Kodi^n  empire.  Thu»  the 
gofpcMun,  which  had  lately  rifin  on  the  Jiws,  bow  rofe  upon» 
aad  bcgsn  totuh'gbienthe  H^^aihen  world,  after  they  had  continu- 
ed ingrafs  Hcathcniih  dar kncfs  for  fo  rainy  ages. 

This  was  a  great  thing,  and  a  new  thing,  fuch  a«  never  had 
Leeri  before.  All  nations  but  ths  jc'vVJ,  and  a  few  who  had  a: 
Qn£  umi  and  another  joncd  vyiththera,  had  been  rcjrded  from  a- 
bout  Mcfcs'D  time.  ThcGeatile  «?cirld  hzd  been  covered  over  with 
the  thick  darknefs  of  idolatry  ;  but  now,  at  ths  joyfu!  glorioui 
found  of  ths  gcfpe!,  ihey  begaa  in  a!J  paris  to  forfske  their  old 
jdol5,  and  tp  abhor  jhcsn,  and  to  cnA  them  to  the  rnole*  and  to  the 
bats,  and  to  learn  to  xtoiA^ip  the  trite  God,  and  to  truft  in  his  Son 
JcfusChriit  ;  ancGod  owtKo  them  for  hispeopte;  thofe  who  had  fo 
hug  hzen.  afar  cfi\wcre  made  nigh  by  Tne blood  ofChriit.  Men  were 
changed  from  beingHc^uhcnilh  &  bruiilh,  to  be  the  children  of  God; 
were  called  out  of  Sanaa's  hingdooi  of  da:k'nef3,andbro't  rntoGod's 
mirvcIou3  light  2ndinalmofl  all  count* ies  thro'out  the  known  world 
wc?c  affsmbiics  of  the  people  of  God  ;  joyful  praifes  were  fung  to 
the  trucGod,  a^dJcfusChri'i  the  glorious  Redeemer.  Now  that  great 
buHding  which  God  began  foou  afier  the  fajl  of  man,  rifes  glori- 
oLfiy,  not  in  the  fame  manner  thst  it  had  done  in  former  ages, 
bui  iii  quite  s  new  caiucer  ;  cow  Di^ni-rs  propbeciei  concerning 
the  hh  kingdom,  which  fi:\ou!i  fuccccd  the  four  Heathenilh  mo- 
narchies, begics  to  be  fulfilled  ;  new  ibei^onc  out  cut  of  the  iroun- 
tains  without  hands,  b^gan  to  finite  the  image  on  its  feet,  and  to 
bre.'ikit  in  pieces,  and  to  gro^  great,  and  to  make  great  advance* 
tcvards  fiiliog  the  cgith  ;  and  now  God  gathers  together  the  clccl 
from  the  four  winds  cf  heaven,  by  the  preaching  of  the  spoftles 
and  other  mirJitcrs,  the  angels  of  the  Chriflisa  church  fent  forth 
-with  she  great  found  of  the  gofpel-trumpci,  before  the  deftrufliou 
of  Ji;rufakm,  agreeable  to  what  Chrift  foretold,  Mattb.  zcx'v.  31, 

Tais  ',728  the  fuccefa  of  Ghri^l's  purchafe  during  this  firft  peri- 
od cf  the  Chrifliaa  church,  vyhi^h  leiminaldid  iii  the  deftrudion  of 
Jcrufakm. 

2,  I  woiild  proceed  now,  in  the  feccnd.plscc,  to  take  notice  of 
the  cppciiillon  wi-ich  was  made  to  this  fucccfs  of  Chrift's  purchafe 
by  the  enemies  cf  i:.—^r— Satan,  who  lately  was  fo  ready  to  tri- 
umph and  cxulr,  ai  though  he  had  gaiced  the  vi<flory  in  putting 
Cbrif:  to  death,  now  finding  himfclf  fallen  into  the  pit  which  he 
had  digged,  and  finding  hi*  kingdom  failing  fo  fai>,  and  feeing 
Chrift's  kingdom  make  fuch  amszing  progrrfs,  fuch  as  never  had 
been  before,  we  may  coricludc  he  vt'as  filled  with  the  greatcf^^on- 
fulio^and  aftonllliaent,  and  hell  fccoicd  to  be  cfFcdluslly  alarmed 

"  by 


the  Work  of  REDEMION,  I97 

by  it  to  make  the  moft  violent  opporuionagainft  it.  F;rft,  the 
devil  i:irred  up  ihe  js.vs,  who  h&d  before  crucified  Chriii,  to  pcr- 
fecutc  the  church  :  for  it  is  obfcrve«b!c,  tkat  the  pcrfccution  which 
the  church  futTcrcd  during  this  period,  was  moftly  from  the  J:wi. 
Thus  we  read  in  the  Aas,  ^yhcn,  at  Jsrufalcm,  the  Holy  Ghoft 
was  po  ired  out  at  Pcr.tecol^,  how  the  Je;^-9  mocked,  and  faid, 
"  Tbcfe  men  arc  full  of  new  wine  ;"  and  how  the  fcribcs  and 
Pharifce»,  and  the  captain  of  the  temple,  were  alarmed,  andbs- 
ftirredthemfclve.tooppofc  and  pcrfccute  the  apoftlci,  and  fiift 
apprehended  and  threatened  them,  and  afterwards  imprifoncd  and 
beat  thera ;  and  breathing  out  threatenings  and  flaughter  againft  the 
difciples  of  the  Lord,  they  Aoned  S:cphea  in  a  tumultuous  rage  ; 
and  were  not  content  to  pci fecute  thofe  that  they  could  find  m  Ju- 
dca,  but  fent  abroad  to  DamJifcus  and  other  places,  tp  perfccu:c  ail 
that  they  could  find  every  where.  Herod,  who  was  chief  smong 
them,  (Iretched  foah  hii  hands  to  vex  the  chyrcb,  and  kihed  James 
with  the  f^-ord,  and  proceeded  to  take  Peter  alfo,  and  caft  h:m  w- 

So  in  oiher  countries,  we  find,  that  almoft  whcre-cvcr  the  apof- 
ties  came,  the  Je^s  oppofcd  the  gofpcl  in  a  moft  malignant  man- 
ncr.  contradifting  and  blafpheming.  How  many  things  did  the 
blelTed  Apoftlc  Paul  fuffer  at  their  hands  in  one  placc^and  another! 
How  violent  and  blood-thirAy  did  they  (hew  thcmfelves  towards 
him.  when  he  came  to  bring  alms  to  his  nation  !  In  this  perfecu- 
tion  and  cruelty   was  fulfilled  thai  of  Chnft.  Matth-  x.ui.  34j 

-  Behold.  I  fed  you  prophets,  «"V'^^%7''.'o?ttt'y.lf  ve 
fome  of  ihem  ye  (hall  kill  and  crucify,  and  fame  of  'hem  (ha  ye 
fcourge  inyour  fyn.gogues.and  perfecute  them  from  city  to  city 

a.  I  proceed  to  t.ke  notice  of  thofe  judgements  which  were  cx^ 
ccuted  on  thofe  enemies  of  Chrift,  the  perfecuting  Jews; 

(I)  The  bulk  of  the  people  were  given  up  to  judicial  bimdnefs 
of  «ind  and  hardnefs  of  he.rt.  Cbrift  denounced  ^"^^^^  -  J; 
on  them  in  the  days  of  his  flefh  ;  asM.tih.  1 3;  H|  ;-Th»  ^"J^^ 
was  alfo  denounced  on  them  by  the  Apollle  Faun  Aftj --"v  ^5' 
26.  27.  ;  and  u^der  this  curfe.  under  this  judicial  bhndnefi  and 
bardneft.they  remain  to  this  very  day,  having  been  fubjed  to  it 
for  about'  X700  ye.rs.being  the  moft  awful  in.l.nce  of  fuch  a  judg^^ 
ment.  and  monuments  of  God's  terrible  vengeance,  of  ^n>  Peo- 
pie  that  ever  were.  That  they  fhould  cont.nu.  from  generation  to 
Jnlration  fo  cb.inately  to  rcj.a  Chrift   fo  that  "  "   ^  -ry  rare 

.  .        u  »  ^f  .>,*.Tn  i«  converted  to  the  Chnitian  laiin, 

thine  that  any  one  ot  toem   is  convc.icw  . 

ho4h  .heir  own  fcripture,  of  the  Oid  Tcftamcn.  «b  ch  t    y   c- 
knowUdgc.  arc  fo  iM  of  p'.am  .ea.,„on.»  »g    nft  .b.m.  «  a  u 
mirfeabk  evidence  of  .heir  being  dreadfully  lefi  of  God. 
(^)  They  were  rejerted  .ad  caii  off  ftom  bemg  wy  J°''S^;'|°/  ' 

■  ■  ti 


J9t  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

vifiblc  people.  They  were  broken  off  from  the  ftock  of  Abraham  i 
■  and  fincc  that  have  no  more  been  reputed  hia  feed,  than  the  lIh;Y»a- 
clites  or  £cioinitc!i,  who  are  as  tciich  his  natural  feed  as  they.  The 
greaic  part  of  the  two  tribes  were  now  caft  off,  as  ihc  ten  tribes 
bad  been  before,  and  another  people  were  taken  in  their  room,  a- 
Rreeable  to  the  predidions  of  their  own  prophets  ;  as  of  Mofesj 
Diut.  xxxii.  21,  **  They  have  moved  me  to  jcaloufy  with  that 
which  is  not  God  ;  they  have  provoked  me  to  anger  with  their  va- 
nities J  and  I  will  move  them  to  jcaloufy  with  ihofe  which  are  not 
a  people,  I  will  provoke  them  to  anger  with  a  foolifti  nation  ;" 
sod  of  Ifaiah,  Ixv.  i.    **  1  am  fought  of  them  that  alked  not  ioi 

me  ;  I  am  found  of  them  that  foiight  me  nof" They  were  vi« 

fibly  reje£ted  and  caft  off,  by  God*£  dircdlng  hia  apoftles  to  turn  a- 
"way  from  them,  and  let  them  alone  ;  ai  Afts  xiii.  46.  4.7.  **  Then 
Paul  and  Barnabas  waxed  bold,  and  faid,  It  was  ncceiiary  that  the 
word  of  God  fhould  fifft  have  been  fpoken  to  you  :  but  feeing  ye 
put  it  from  you,  and  judge  yourfelvcs  unworthy  of  cvcrlalling  life, 
lo,  we  turn  to  the  Gentiles  :  for  fo  hath  the  Lord  commanded  us." 
And'fo  Aftsxviii*  6.  andxxviii.  28. 

Thus  far  we  have  had  the  fcripture-hiftory  to  guide  us !  hcacff- 
forward  «rc  fflall  hare  the  guidance  only  of  two  ihiogj,  viz.  of 
fcripture-prcphecy,  and  God's  providence,  as  related  ih  human 
h4lftorics. — —But  I  proceed. 

(3)  The  thkd  and  laft  judgement  of  God  on  thofc  enemies  of 
ttt  fucccfs  of  the  gofpe!  which  I  lliall  mention,  is  the  terrible  de^ 
firu(ftion  of  their  city  and  country  by  thcRomans.  They  had  great 
»rarBing3  and  many  means  ufed  with  them  before  thia  deftrus^tioa, 
Firft,  johs  she  Baptift  warned  them,  and  loM  them,  that  the  ale 
wkslaid  at  the  root  of  the  tree  ;  and  that  every  tree  which  n\ouId 
nott  bring  forth  good  fruity  (hould  be  hewn  down,  and  caft  into  the 
fire.  Then  Chru'l  warned  them  very  particularly,  and  told  theoa 
of  their  apioaching  dcftf u<^ion,  and  at  the  thoughts  of  it  wept 
ever  them.  And  ihea  the  apoftles  after  Chrift's  a fcenf on  abun- 
dantly warned  them.  But  thty  proved  obftinaie,  and  went  on  iq 
their  oppoKition  to  Chrift  and  his  church,  and  in  their  bitter  pcrfe- 
culing  pra£\ices.  Their  fo  malignantly  perfecuting  the  Apo^le 
Paul,  of  which  wc  have  an  account  towards  the  end  of  the  A6^s  of 
the  Apollki,  is  fuppoled  to  have  bstn  not  more  than  fevcri  or  eight 
jeafs  b2fore  the  dcfiruflion. 

After  this  God  was  pleafcd  to  give  them  one  more  very  remarka« 
blc  warning  by  the  Apoftle  Paul,  in  his  eplfile  to  the  Hebrewf^ 
which  is  an  cpiflle  written  to  that  nation  of  the  Jews,  as  is  fuppof<< 
sd,  about  four  years  before  iheir  de/lruiflion  ;  wherein  the  plaioefl 
and  cleared  arguments  are  fet  before  them  from  their  own  law,  an^ 
frooi  their  prophets^  for  whom  they  profcfTed  fvcb  s  regard,  to 

prove 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  lr>9 

pTOVt  thatChri'^Jefus  muft  ht  tht  Son  of  God,  and  tbat  all  th«r  law 
pointed  xo  him  and  typified  hicn,  and  thai  ihtir  Jcudi  difpcnfati- 
oa  muft  nccdi  hsve  now  ceafcd.  For  though  ihc  epiltle  was  more 
immcdistcly  directed  to  the  CbriAian  Hcbrcwf ,  yet  the  maner  oi 
the  cpilUc  plainly  (hows  that  the  apoAic  intended  it  for  the  ufc  and 
convi^ion  of  the  unbelieving  Jews.  In  ihii  cpiftic  he  mentions 
parlicularljr  ths approaching  dc)\i(uftIon,  ai  ch^p.  k.  25.  **  So 
much  the  more,  as  ye  fee  the  day  approaching  ;'*  and  in  verf, 
^7  he  fpcaks  of  the  approaching  juigctacat  and  ticry  indignation 
which  (hould  devour  the  adverfarics. 

6ut  the  generaliiy  0/  them  refufing  to  receive  conviftion,  God 
^oon  dcftfoyed  them  wilii  fuch  terrible  circumOanccs,  £3  the  dc- 
itruftion  of  no  ccuutry  Of  city  fiQCc  the  foundation  of  the  world 
can  parallel  ;  agreeable  to  what  Chrifl  foretold,  Mairh  rxiv,  2i, 
•'  For  then  Ihail  be  tribulation,  fuch  at  wa«  liOi  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  world  to  this  timr,  co,  nor  ever  (ball  be."  The 
fidt  d«(tfu(5licn  of  Jtrufalem  by  ihc  Babylonians  wsa  very  terrible^ 
as  it  is  iii  the  moit  «fF;  (^ing  manner  dtfcribcd  by  the  Prophet 
J:rcn::3b,  in  his  Laoscntations  j  bui  this  was  nothing  to  the  dread- 
ful mifery  and  wrath  which  they  f-  fTircd  in  the  dcfirudion  ;  Godj 
according  as  Chrifi  foretold,  brihgt^g  onr  thetn  all  the  righteous 
blood  that  had  bten  died  from  the  toundaiion  of  the  world.  Tfcui 
the  enemies  of  GhriA  were  made  his  footftool  oftcr  hia  afcenrion, 
agreeable  to  God*«  promife  in  Pfal.  ex.  at  the  beginning;  and 
CbriA  rules  them  with  a  rod  of  Iron,  Tney  had  been  kicking  a- 
jgainA  Chrift,  but  they  did  not  Ijick  againft  the  pricks.  The  briari 
and  thorns  fet  themfelves  again  A  him  in  battle  :  but  he  wenS 
through  them  ;   he   burred  them  together. 

This  deliruf^icn  of  Jetufalem  was  in  all  refpefts  agreeable  to 
what  Chrift  had  foretold  of  it,  Matlh.  xih.  by  the  account  which 
Jofephus  gives  of  it,  who  was  then  prefent,  and  was  one  of  the 
Jews,  who  had  a  (hare  in  the  calamity,  who  wrote  the  hiftory  o£ 
their  dcflrudlion.  Many  circumflanacs  of  this  deftruftion  rcfem- 
blcd  the  dcftrudtioo  of  the  wicked  at  the  day  of  judgement,  by  hii 
account,  being  accomplilhed  with  many  fearful  fights  in  the  hea-. 
vcns.  and  wiih  the  feparation  of  the  righteous  from  the  wlcked#^ 
Their  city  and  their  temple  were  burnt,  zed  rafcd  to  the  ground, 
and  the  ground  on  which  the  city  flood  was  plowed  ;  and  fo  one 
ftone  was  not  left  upon  another,  Matth.  xxiv.   2. 

The  people  had  ceafcd  for  the  moft  part  to  be  aa  independent  go- 
vernment after  the  Babyloniib  captivity  :  but  the  fceptre  entirely 
departed  from  Judah  on  the  death  of  Arcbclaus  ;  and  then  Jjdca 
was  made  a  Roman  provi  ce  ;  after  this  they  were  cafi  off  from 
being  the  people  of  God  ;  but  now  their  very  city  and  land  are  ut- 
terly dcftroyed,  and  they  carried  away  from  it  j  aad  fohavc  con- 
B  b  tinucd 


3^00  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    cf 

tinuci  in  their  difperfions  through  the  world  for  now  about  160& 
ycari. 

Thus  there  wit  a  fi.ul  end  to  the  OlJ-Tcilaaicnt  world  ;  all  was 
jRui(hed  vrilh  a  kind  of  day  of  )':dgrmcnt,  in  vvh.ch  the  people  of 
G0.I  were  f.^vH,  and  hiscnecntcs  terribly  dcflroycn.— -  Thus  docs 
he  who  waa  fo  lately  raockcd  defpifcd,  and  fpit  upon  by  thcjcwi, 
and  .vhofc  follower!  ihcy  oi^ilignaully  pcrfccut«d,fippcaf  glorioulty 
cxaUcd   OTcr  h**  encaiies. 

Hivioj*  thus  fhown  how  the  fuccefiof  ChriO^i  purchafc  was  car- 
ried OQ  till  she  deltfUi^iicn  of  Jr  'if^Icm,  I  come  now, 

I  I.  To  Ih  i'v  how  if  wa5  c  >rir  eJ  on  Uoax  thar  time  till  the  de- 
<^fu.:^  ion  of  iht' Heathen  cmp» re  ii>  the  lime  of  Cv/flfftaniine  tfee 
Great,  whica  is  the  fccond  gre^i  event  which  la  in  fcripturc  coca- 
pared  to  Chrift'j  oooi'ng  to  jijagmenr. 

JcrufaiCSQ  wa*  dtfiroyed  about  tbt  ytar  of  our  Lord  6S,  and    f3 

;  before  that  gcn?raiion  p^lIeJ  aw.^y  which  wa«»   coiitemporary  wiih 

Chrift  ;  and  it  ^as  about  thirty  tivc   years   after    Ch.-ift's  death. 

:  The  del>'UCtion  of  the  Btratfacn  empire  undc;  Conftantir.c,  was   a- 

.  bout  260  yc^TS  after  this,     in  fhowing  how  the  fucccfs  of  the  gof- 

pci  w<5  carried  on  through  jhis  time,  I  wauli,    I.  T"ke  aotice  of 

the  oppofiiion  made  againf^  it  by  the  Roman  empire.     :i   How  the 

,  work  of  the  gofpt!  went  on   notwithftanding  all  that  oppofition. 

3.     The  peculiar  circumftar.ces  of  tribulation  and  difirefj  that   the 

church  flras  in  ju'^    ba'^o^c  tiitir   neiivcrance  by  ConAantine.     4. 

The  g^-eat  revolution  in  Gonf^antine's  time. 

I.  I  would  briefly  fV.ow  what  oppofiiion  wai  made  againf^  the 
gofpsi,  and  the  k'agdom  of  Chrift,  by  the  R^maa  empire-  The 
opporuion  that  wa  mid<:  to  the  gofpciby  tb-:  H.aihca  Roman  em. 
pire,  was  mainly  after  the  dcf^ruci Ion  ofjtiufaltm,  ihough  their 
oppofiiion  beg^a  before  ;  but  the  oppofiiion  thai  wii  before  the 
deftruftion  of  j'-rufakm,  was  aainiy  by  the  Jews.  But  when  Jeru- 
falem  was  dcAroyed,  the  Jzwi  were  put  out  of  a  eapaciiy  of  mucjj 
troubling  the  church.  Now  therefore  the  devil  turns  his  hand  tlfe- 
.  were,  and  ufes other  inftruments.  The  oppofiiion  v^hich  «^ag  mad^ 
in  the  R  imaQ  empire  againfl  tfic  kingdom  of  Cxnr i/l,  was  chiefly  of 
two  kinds. 

(1)  Tfacy  employed  all  their  learaiog,  philofophy,  and  wk, 
la  cppoling  it,  Cbrii^  csmc  into  the  world  in  an  sge  whereia 
learning  and  philofophy  were  at  their  height  in  the  R  man  empire. 
This  was  employed  to  the  utmoft  againft  the  kingdom  of  Chiift. 
The  gofpel,  which  held  forth  a  crucified  Sayiour,  was  not  at  all  a- 
gieeable  to  the  notions  of  the  pbilofopLers.  The  ChriAian  fchemt 
of  trufting  in  fuck  a  crucified  Redeemer,  appeared  fooJifi  and  ri- 
diculous to  ihcm.  Greece  was  a  country  the  moit  famous  for  Icara- 
Ing  of  any  in  the  R^sisq  cuDpiic  j  but  the  apoiik  cbfeives,  tha 

tLs 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M I O  N,  jo  j 

«bc  doilrinc  of Chrift  crucified  r^ppcarcd  fooliCbncfs  to  the  Greckt, 
X  Cor.  i.  23.  ;  and  therefore  ibc  wife  men  and  phiiofcphcri  oppjf^ 
cd  the  gofpcl  with  all  the  wit  ihcy  bad  Wc  have  a  fpccimea 
of  their  manner  of  oppofing,  in  the  llory  wc  h^vc  of  their  treat- 
mcnt  of  ihe  Apoftic  Pwal  at  Adicn*,  which  wag  a  city  that  had 
been  for  many  sges  the  chief  feat  of  phi^ofophera  ot  any  in  the 
wv hole  world.  We  read  in  A<^«  xvii.  i3.  that  the  philofophcri  of 
the  Epicurean  and  Sioirk?  ercountcrcd  hitn,  f.ying,  **  What  will 
this  babler  fay  ?  He  fccmeih  to  be  a  fetter  forth  of  Orange  gods.'" 
So  they  were  wonfto  deride  -ini  ridicule  Chriftianity.  AUcr  lh« 
dcftrudtion  of  Jcrufalcm,  lcvfc<al  of  thefe  philofophcrs  publilhcd 
books  ?gain(t  it  i  the  chief  of  whom  were  Cclfus  and  P.rphyry, 
Thcfc  wrote  book*  at^ainft  the  Chrifliau  religion  wiih  a  great  deal 
of  virulence  and  contempt,  much  after  the  manner  that  the  D;:ifts  of 
the  p'cfent  age  oppofc  an^i  ridicule  Chnftianity.  Something  of 
their  writingt  yet  remains.  As  gicat  encmici  and  defpifers  as  tbey 
were  of  ihc  Chriflian  religion,  yet  they  never  denied  the  fatfls  re- 
corded of  Chrifland  his  apoft!:i  'n  the  NcwTcftamer!t,pa!ticular- 
ly  chc  miracles  which  they  wrought,  but  allowed  them.  They  liv" 
ed  too  near  the  times  wherein  tncte  miracles  were  wrought  lo  deny 
them  ;  for  they  were  fo  publicly  done,  and  fo  lately,  that  neither 
Jews  nor  Heathens  in  thofe  days  appeared  10  deny  them ;  but  they 
jifcribed  ihcm  to  the  power  of  m^gic. 

(2)  The  authority  of  the  Roman  empire  employed  all  their 
f^rength,  time  after  time,  to  perfecute,  and  if  polfiblc  t&  root  out 
Chriftianity.  This  tKey  did  in  tea  "general  fucccffivc  perfecutfoiis. 
Wc  have  heretofore  obfcrvcd,  that  Chriil  came  into  the  world, 
when  the  ftrength  of  Heathen  dominion  and  authority  was  ths 
greatefl  that  ever  it  wss  under  tht:  R  )maD  monarchy,  the  grealeii 
and  flrongcf^  human  monarchy  that  ever  was  on  earth.  All  tl^c 
ftrcngth  of  this  monarchy  was  employed  for  a  long  time  to  cppcfc 
and  perfecule  the  Chriftian  church,  and  if  pr-mble  to  deftroy  it,  in 
ten  fucccflTivc  attempts, which  are  called  the  ttnHiatkcn  perficutionsg 
which  were  before  Conftanirnc. 

The  firft  of  tbefc,  which  was  the  ptrfecuiion  under  Nero,  was  a, 
little  before,  the  deftrjdion  of  Jerufalem,  in  which  the  Apcillii 
Pcttr  was  crucified,  and  the  Apofllc  Paul  beheaded,  foon  afrcr  he 
wrote  his  fccond  cpiftle  to  Timothy.  When  he  wrote  that  epif- 
ile,  he  was  a  prifoner  at  Rome  under  Nero,  and  was  foon  after  he 
\Trote  it  beheaded,  agreeable  to  what  he  fays,  chap.  iv.  6.  7  *<  ^ 
am  now  ready  to  be  oft'sred,  and  the  time  of  my  departure  it  tl 
band.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  fiuilhed  my  courfc,  i; 
t a ve  kept  the  faith."— —There  were  many  thcufands  of  o:her 
Chrirtians  flain  in  that  pcrfecution.  The  other  nine  pcrfccutiont, 
\jcrc  all  aflcj  the  defl?a6tioa  of  Jerufakm*    Some  of  ibcfc  wv'£. 

very    ' 


2r>2  A   n  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of  . 

very  terrible  indeed,  and  far  escccded  the  firil  pe^Ceeuticn  under 
N^ro.    One  ctcperoT  after   another  fet  himfclf  wiih  the  ulmoil 
rage  to  root  out  the  Cbriftian  church  fiora  the  earth,  that  ther« 
fhould  not  be  fo  ojuch  as  the  name  of  Chrii'tian  left  in  the  world* 
Thoufanda  '^rid  millions  v/crc  put  to  cruel  deaihs  in  rticfe  pcrfccu- 
tions  ;  foj  ^b£y  fparcd  neither  fcx  nor  age,  but  kiilcd  ihem  as  faft 
as  they  cculd.     Under  the  lecond  gencn!  pcrfccution,  that  which 
waa  Hf  St  alter  the  deftrudicn  of  Jerufaletn,  the  Apo/\lc  John  was 
banlihci  to  the  ills  ofPatmos,  where  he  had  tbofc  vifjons  of  which 
hchas  given  an  account   in  the  Revelation,     Under  that  pcrfccu- 
tion it  WZ8  reckoned, that  about  40,000  fv-fTcrcd  martydocn;  which 
yet  waf  nointng  £0  wh-^t  were  put  eo  death  under  fume  fucceeding 
pCif:.cutiop.s.     Ten  thouiand  fullered  that  one  kind  of  cruel  dcith^ 
crucirixion,  in  the  third  perfccut ion  under  the  Euipcror  Adriano 
Under  the  fourth  pcrfccufioo,  which  h.-'an  about  the  year  ofChrid 
162^  ifi/iny  f u ffta cd  martyrd c 31  in  England,  the  land  of  ouif  fore- 
fathers, wherr-  ChrinUnity  h*)ci  been  piauted  very  early,  and,  ai  is 
fuppofed,  in  the  days  of  the  apofties.     In  the  later  pcrfecutions, 
the  Ror^isn  csspercrs  being  vesed  aj  the  truftration  of  their  prcde- 
ceflo';^/who  were  not  abi-- to  extirpa'x  Ghriflianity,  or  hinder  ita 
progrefs,  v/eic enraged  to  be  the  more  violent  in  their  atfcmptt, 
-'  Trfus  a  gicat  part  of  the  lirfi  300  years  after  Chrift  wasfpcnt  in 
v'Oicnt  an<i  cruel  ptrfsci:.Jios;s  ol  the  church  by  the  Roman  powers, 
Ssian  was  very  anvyilling  to  let  go  his  hold  of  fo  grca«  ^  part  of 
the  world,  and  every  way  the  chief  part  of  it,  «9  the  countries  cpn- 
iainrd  in  the  Reman  empire  wtre,  of  which  he  bad  bad  the  quiet 
poiFftllion  for  fo  »r«3ny  ^ges  :  and  therefore,  when  he  faw  it  going 
fo  faft  out  of  h;s  hinds,  be  bcftired  bia.felf  to  his  utmoft  :  ail  heli 
w-s,  as  it  wcre,raifed  sgsinft  it  to  oppofe  it  wiih  itsulmoft  power, 
Siian  thm  cserdng  hioifslf  by  the  power  of  the  Heathen  Roman 
empire,  is  callc-J  the  great  red  dragon,   in   fcriplure,  having' fevca 
hc^ds  and'tcn  homs.  fighting  againli  the  woman  clothed  with  the 
fu»   as  in  the  12th  of  Revelation.     And  the  terrible  con fiift  ihcrs 
was  between  the  church  of  Chrifl,  snd  the  powers  of  the  Heathen 
empire  before  Conft^niine's  time,    is  there,  in  verf.   7.  reprc- 
^Tented  by  the  wiir  between  Michael  and  his  angels,  and  the  dragon 
and  his  angels  :   **  And  there  was  war  in  heaven  ;   Michael  and 
his  angels  foug^^t,    arid  the  dragon  fought  and  his  angels." 

2.   I  wnu\d  lake  notice  what  fucccfs  the  gofpel  had  in  the  world 
before  the  time  ofCorftaniine,  notwithf^andiag  all  this  oppofirion. 

.= Though  the  learning  and  power  of  the  Roman  empire  wer. 

fo  great,  and  both  were  employed  to  the  utmofl  agaioft  Chriftiani 
8y  to  put  a  ftop  to  it,  and  to  root  it  ou<  for  fo  long  a  time,  atid  in 
io  many  repeated  attempts;  yet  all  wa«  in  vain  ;  they  cOuld  neiihe? 

i^ooi  is  out|  opr  put  a  ftop  to  it,    J8ut  (lill*  in  fpitc  all  that  th^^ 
"••..  •    ■     ■  '  '■  ■■    -^    ■  ■•■    couSd    • 


,hc  Workot    REDEMPTION.  «oj 

^uM<io,lhe.k^ng-lomof  Ch.ift  wonderfully  p,«.iled.  .nd  &.- 
T.nHcL,n  k...gd  m  couldccd  .nd  conlum.d  -'Y  b    ore  >U 

like  .  g.  mcnt.  .n^  .he  .ro.m  ft..ll  e..  them  Uke  xvool.  I.  w« 
,c„obf«v,bie.  .h,.Vo..hc  moftp^r.  lie  mote  (hey  perfccu.ed 
Ih=c.urc:-...be  more  i<  inceafcd  ;  inkmueb  .h»>  ..bcc.me  a  com- 
mon (ay.rg  Taeblooao.  .he  m.r.ys  is. he  feed  ot  the  chu,  h. 
Hc,ein.be  ohucb  olChr.fi  proved  .o  bel.kc  ap.lm  "«.;°f  "''' ^ 

,0  it,  braccbe..  .be  ::.o.e  i.  gro..  aod  flou..(be, ;  on  which  account 
probably  the  church  is  compared  to  a  palm  tree  tn  Cant,  vn.^, 
I  Thi/thyftatureU  like  to.  palm -tree."     Jun.n  Martyr,  ane- 
minen.  father  in  the  Cnriftian  church,  who  l.vcd  .n  «he  »ge  ««« 
.fter  the  apoftU..  in  fome  writing,  of  h...  wh.ch  are  yet  «t,nt,     . 
fay,,  that  in  hi,  day,  there  wa,  no  part  of  ='«''-<''7'';"'!'^'",t^' 
or  barbarian,,  or  by  what  name  foever  they  were  can=d.  even  the 
moft  rude  and  unpclifhecl  nation.,  where  p.ayer,  and  thankfg.v.rg, 
Were  not  made  to  the  great  creator  of  the  world,  through  the  nam? 
of  the  crucified  Jefu,.  '  TertuUian,  another  cmintn,  father  m  .!»: 
Chriftian  church,  who  lived  in  the  beginning  of  the  'onowtng  age, 
in  fome  of  hi,  writing,  which  are  yet  ext.nt.   fe.,  forth  how  that 
in  hird.y  the  Ch.iftian  religion  bad  extended  itfelf  to  the  utmoft 
bound,  of  the  then  known  world,  in  wHch  i^«  5«»'»"f ''"'"^f/.    ■ 
country  of  our  forefather,  ;  and  •h'"«<'f'=°°''=";V;!'!f'*','''"/3, 
dom  of  Chrirt  wa.  then  mo.e  exlcnf.ve  than  any  of  the  foj.  great 
monarchic. ;  and  .moreover  fay.,  that  though  the  Chr.ft.an.  were 
i,firanBer.ofno!ongflaDd!ng,  yet  they  had  ft'led  all  pUce,  of. 
the  Roman  dominion,,   their   citie.,  Ward.,     caftles.    corpora- 
ticD,.  council.,  armie,.  tribe,,  the  palace,  f.nate.    and  courti 
of  judicature  ;  only  .hey  h-.d  left  to  the  He.ihen  rhur  temp.e. ; 
8„d  that  if  thev  fbould  .11  «gree  to  retire  ou!  of  the  Ko=,an  cn:p.r« 
the  world   would  be  =m.z=d  at  the  folltude  and  f^^^''^^^^' 
would  enfue  upon  it,  there  would  be  fo  few  lef:;  and  that  .bev..hrtf. 
,i,n>  were  enough  to  be  able  eafily  to  defend  themfdve,.   .f  in<:y 
we're  difpofcd.o  rife  up  in  arm,  ^g.infc  the  Heathen  mag..<rate.. 
And  Pliny,  a  Heathen  who  lived  in  tbofe  day,,   fays,  muU.tudej 
of  each  fer,  every  age  and  qu^ity.  were  t,ecom=  Chriftian,.    Thii 
fuperfti.ion.  fay,  he,  having  infeaed  and  over-run  not  the  c.y  o,,. 
ly,  but  town.  an<f  ccuntric..  the  temple,  and  facr.fice,  a.e  general- 
I»  defolile  and  forfekcn.  .        .     .    .^ 

I.  wa,  r.markcd  by  both  Heathen  and  Chriftian  writer,  in  thofe 
day.,  that  .he  famou.  Heathen  oracle,  in  .heir  terrplci.  where 
prince,  and  other,  for  many  p.ft  "6"  ^^^  '■>""  ^':""' '°  '°^J"^f  ""^- 
T.eeive  anfwer.  with  an  audible  voice  from  their  gods,  which  w.ra 
isiccdaafwcr.  from  tbc  devil  i  1  fay.  tUok  otaclcs  were^now 


234  A    HISTORY 

filcncsd  and  ftruck  dumb,  and  gave  no  more  snf  i^'ers  :  and  partU 
cularly  :be  oracJc  sx  D^lphoi,  which  vsai  the  moftVacnDus  Hcc^ihco 
oracle  ia  thr  whole  world,  \rtich  both  Greeks  anrt  Remans  ufcd  re 
confuU,  be^an  to  ccafe  to  give  any  anlwcrs,  even  ficm  the  birth 
ofChrH  ;  andfhe  fih'c  deity  whq  wa^  worfiiipped,  and  ufcd  to 
give  anfvrcrf  frorr)  his  oracle  in  that  temple,  being  once  inquired 
of,  why  he  did  now  pivc  anfwern  as  he  was  wont  to  do?  made 
?hii  rcp!y,  ss  fcveral  H.^thcn  biftorians  who  lived  sbout  thofc 
times  relate,  fbere  is  anHebrew  boy,  f^vs  he,  who  is  k'!,g  of  the 
godj,  who  has  cojumanded  inc  to  leave  this  hcufe,  and  be  gone  to 
hdi,  and  therefore  you  aic  toexpcd  no  more  anfweri  Many  of 
the  Heathen  writers  t^ho  lived  about  that  time,  fpe^k  much 
of  the  oraqlcs  being  ilienced,  £S  a  thing  at  which  t.cy  Wc-n-Iercd^ 
not  knowing  what  the  caufc  fljould  be.  Plutaich,  a  H^athca 
writer  of  thofc  times,  v,-rotc  a  particular  trep.iife  about  it,  «»hich  is 
flili  cx:ant.  And  Porphyry,  one  of  the  Heathen  writer*  before- 
raenliooed,  who  oppofcd  the  Chtifiian  "religio!?,  in  hi«  writings 
has  thefc  wprds  :  It  is  rip  wonder  if  the  city  for  thefc  fo  many 
years  has  been  ever-run  with  fcknefs  ;  Efculapiui,  and  the  reft  of 
the  gods,  having  withdrawn  their  convcrfc  with  men  r  for  fincc 
Jefus  begC'jn  to  be  woffh5pped,  no  man  has  received  any  public 
help  or  bcRefii  by  the  gods." 

Thus  dki  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  prevail  againf^  the  kingdom  of 
Satan. 

3,  I  now  proceed  to  take  notice  of  the  peculiar  eircumHances  of 
tribulation  and  diurcfs  juH  before  Conllantine  the  G-cat  came  to 
the  throne.     This  dilL-efs  they  fc-fFcrcd  under  the  tenth  Heathen 
perfccution,  which,  ss  it  was  the  laft,  fo  it  wnn  by  far  the  hcavieft, 
AT^d  moil  fcverc.    The  church  before  this,  after  the  cesfing  of  the 
y>!nth  perfecution,    had  enjoyed    a  time  of  quietnefs  for  about 
farty  years  together  ;  but,  abufing  their  liberty,  began  to  grow  cold 
and  lifchfs   in  religion,  and  carnal,  and  cont<*nnoni   prevailed 
among  them  ;  by  which  they  offended  God  to  fuffer  this  dreadful 
trial  to  come  upon  them.     Satan  havirg  loA  ground  fo  much,  nol- 
withflanding  all  his  attempts,  now  fcemed  to  beftir  himfelf  with 
more  than  ordinary  rage.     Thofc  who  were  then  in  authority  fet 
t^hcmfelvcs  with  the  utaio<t  violence  to  root  out  Chriftianily,  by 
burning  all  Bibles,  and  dcftroying  all  Chriftians  ;  and  therefore 
they  did  not  (land  to  try  or  convitt  them  in  a  formal  procefs,  but 
fc!!  upon  them  where  ever  they  could  ;  fometimes  fciting  fire  tp 
fcoufcs  where  multitudes  of  them  were  aflembled,  and  burning  them 
sll  together  ;  and  at  other  times  flaughtcring  multitudes  tcgcther  r 
fo  that  fometimes  their  perfecutors  were  quite  fpent  with  thclabo? 
of  killing  aad  tormenting  them  ;  and  io  fomc  populous  places,  fo 
iDaoy  were  flain  together,  that  the  blood  ran  l»kc  torrents.     Jt  i$ 
ctUtcd,  that  f£ventc£Q  tlioufend  martyrs  vrcrc  daia  in  one  month's 

lime; 


the  Work  of  R  K  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  20S 

•iK\c  ;  and  that  duiing  the  conlinuMCC  of  this  pcrfecufion,  in  the 
province  of  Egypt  alone,  no  Uf»  ihan  144,000  Chriftiani  died 
by  the  violence  of  their  pcrfecutori,  befk^ci  700,000  (hat  died 
through  the  fatigues  of  banilhmcnt,  cr  the  public  works  to  which 
they   were  condemned. 

This  perfccution  lafted  for  ten  yciri  together  ;  and  as  it  exceeded 
all  foregoing  pcrfccuiions  in  the  number  of  mai tyrs,  fo  it  exceeded 
them  in  tbs  variety  and  tnuhitude  of  inventions  of  torture  and 
cruelly.  Soma  aushcrs  who  lived  at  that  time,  fay,  they  wer« 
innummcrablc,  and  exceed  all  account  and  exprcfTioa. 

This  perfecution  in  particular  was  very  (evcre  in  England  ;  and 
this  is  ihit  perfccutioa  which  was  foretold  in  Rtv.  vi.  9.  lo-  *•'  And 
when  he  had  opened  the  fifth  feal  I  f.*w  under  the  altar  the  fouli 
of  them  that  were  llain  for  the  word  of  God,  and  for  the  tcftiinony 
which  they  held.  And  they  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  faying.  How 
long.  O  Lord,  holy  and  true,  doft  thou  not  judge  and  avenge  our 
blood  on  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth  ?" 

At  the  end  of  the  ten  ycais  during  which  this  perfccution  con- 
tinued, the  Heathen  perfecutori  thought  the>  had  fi;  ifticd  their 
work,  and  boaited  that  they  had  uticily  deflroycd  the  name  and 
fuperftition  of  the  Chriilians,  and  bad  reftored  and  propagated 
(he  worittip  of  the  gods.^ 

Thus  it  was  the  darkeli  time  with  the  ChriAian  church  juf^  before 
the  bresk  of  d*y  Tfacy  were  brought  to  the  greacci^  extremity  juft 
before  Gad  appeared  for  their  glorious  deliverance,  as  the  bondage 
of  the  Ifraelitcs  in  Egypt  was  the  moft  feverc  and  cruel  juft  before 
their  deliverance  by  the  hand  of  Mofes.  Their  enemies  thought 
they  had  fwallowed  them  up  jufl  before  their  deflrue^ion,  as  it  was 
with  Pharaoh  and  his  hoft  when  they  had  hemmed  in  the  children 
of  Ifrael  at  the  Rcd-fci. 

4  I  come  now,  in  the  fourth  place,  to  the  great  rcvolutioo 
which  was  in  the  world  in  the  days  of  Conftantine,  which  was  m 
many  refpe^s  like  Chrid's  appearing  in  the  clouds  o^  heaven  to 
fave  his  people,  and  judge  the  world.  The  psoplc  of  Rome  being 
weary  of  the  government  of  thofc  tyrants  to  whom  they  had  lately 
bctn  fu^jefl,  fcnt  to  Gonflanlinc,  who  was  then  in  the  city  of 
Vork  inEngland,  to  come  and  take  the  throne.  He  being  encouraged, 
as  is  fal(f  ,by  a  vifion  of  a  pillar  of  light  in  the  heavens,  in  the  form 
of  a  crof;,  in  the  fight  o»  his  whole  army,  with  this  infcriptloo. 
In  this  ovtrcome  ;  and  the  night  following,  by  Chrift'i  appear* 
leg  to  him  in  a  dream  with  the  f^me  crofs  in  his  hand,  who 
directed  htm  to  make  a  crof!>  I:ke  that  to  be  his  royal  ftacdard,  that 
bis  army  might  fight  under  thxt  banner,  and  affurcd  him  that  he 
fiio'uld  overcome.  Accord irglj  bp  did,  and  overcame  his  enemies^ 
«ttd  rook  pcffifHoa  of  lac  J^peiiil  thror.c,and  cmbriccd  iheChriftiaj^ 

religioa 


3c?  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  o! 

uV' :'  '       ~  2  eivpcror  thst  rrcT  '  "*- 

c?:r  i  a  jc7  Ch  i.t.    T-;:  nl 

«rc<]ld  take  noiicc  of  whicii  iUcndcd  or  iaimcduteff 
ii_,^^.,  ^..fu- tint's  ccajing  to  rfcs  tfcron;. 

,(i)  The  CbrLtiia  Ciurch  wis  cbcrsby  rr^oXhj  ddrrcrti  froSs 
^«rfcrjtic2.  N:w  the  iij  of  her  dclircrara  camt  aftrr  fuch  a 
«Ji/k  n'^h:  of  a.-rri^'^a  :  -it^ct-g  hi^  ccada..tJ  fcr  a  sigbt,  btt 
row  dt  :-tr::5c;  ar.d  j.>v  Cimt  i*  t*^c  rrDr£:»cg.  No>»  G-jd  stw 
ptarcs  t?  j_-£r  hi*  pcottc,  ^nd  rcp'ritd  fctTfcff  fcf  hii  fe.-T7r,t», 
wfccn  he  fi*  -^cif  po^tr  wis  goct,  snd  tfccre  '▼a  ncsr  ^ci  c^J 
orldL  Ctrirruri  bsd  20  fcrfec-tbns  !2o^  to  ft  it.  Tlxrr^cr- 
lecijtbt3   Lcw  were  ill  p-Jt  iDwr.,  and  li:c!r  mJrn  ircre  fete  of 

(2)  Gji  r.Dv  ippti'c^j  10  cTTO-'Tf  ttrT?b!«'J.r?<»'«2^tf  «  their 
taeKio.     X-aE2rt*b!e  arc  trt  accc*j::rt  wbids  '  -»  «  of 

<it  ic-  fir!  ti2<fc  to  Tftizi  the  H?ich«  rtp  ros,  ^  -  _  _:-.•,  a?ttl 
g^&xi^,  isd  cspiiiaf,  andw^er  grrat  trra  c~!ac,  wl^o  h sd  txcrtrf 
itecfcTTci  ic  pcffcciiti'-g  the  Ct*  ^iaos  •,  cyi  g  niTfrT5t?ij,  ote 
ird  «:!C±E"^  undtr  c?-;  jfrte  tc:tsfn»f  of  b^^j;  2^d  fccrmn  df 
Cocfcie-Ci,  witb  1  aiC  ~  ::r.     So  ifcit 

whst  :;o^  C33i«    to  u;      z    ^  ^  r  ^ircd  to  their 

lliding.  fr-€m'^dv*3  in  ih«  dct>f  asri  rock*  of  tt-t  aso-jiitainJ. 

(3}  H-r^.h<iirfM  co«^  ^31  b  1  jreit  aicafu:^  iboiiflWd  throu^:.- 
Ool  iLc  RjBan  etaplre.  lain;^  ^e*c  vsO^f  dc'troye*,  «i:d  Hca- 
4:r3  icx   "  '   -  dowa.     Iai?§?t  of  gold  sad  fi'vc^    were  mtlrcd 

dowr,  £"     .  iutoSBsacj.     Sv-:e  of  :hc  Ctitf  of  6s?r   itijtj, 

l»iiich  were  curicu^y  vrrougbr,  were  bfocghl  to  Cjarunilaopk^ 
tsd  dierr  itivz  wbh  rof«  up  a::d  down  ib«  Hrc^ti  for  ihc  people 
lobefccld  a^d  Ucgb  at,  Ttc  Hratha  pncflj  wcxft  difpt-fcd  aad 
bv.iiLed. 

(4)  Tbc  CbriftiaB  dturdi  vnt  brocght  tstc  a  ftatr  of  gf«t  ptics 
tad  y.     Tion  ill  Heathen  m-giilrat»  wtrr  p-'t  dcTni,  icd 

ot-l*  11  ircTC  advanced  to  phces  of  author iry   aH  otct   the 

CJEpi/c.  Tcey  had  cow  Chri.lian  prcfycati,  Chriftiin  |GTrrtorf, 
Cbfif.Ian  irrigcsand  of?i:^i,  iof^ead  of  their  old  Hraihta  ih  oaeJ« 
CooCa^  lice  felbJHifeif  ti  put  booou/  cpoo  Cfinftiao  biibcps  of 
suaiftot,  aiid  to  buiki  and  adora  charchei  ;  2nd  dow  largt  and 
iJeawifa!  Cfcnfilan  churchea  were  creeled  ia  all-'paxu  of  tbc  worlds 
iufy-  -  old  H:5!Stn  tetnpUi. 

I  -.-:iin*air.e  greattft  ftrotaica  and  change  ia  the 

face  of  thisgi  th^t  ertr  c^^m;  10  pafi  In  the  ^^orld  fines  ihe  &:iod, 
Satan,  tiic prince  of  d^rk-tf*,  ihst  king  ini  g--d  of  the  H^iih« 
wo/ld,  WSJ  caft  «i?.  Tbc roaring  Hen  wu  ccrqjcred  by  th^L^oib 
<jifi3oA,  in  the  ftrongei>  doa'nion  thai  trer  he  had,  crsr.  tile  Rd- 
CBrnjc,  Thitwait  r«!r«kibic  icccapUAatal  ^t,  }«r-  a:,  iz. 


tbe  Wofk  cf    REDEMPTION.  i': 

'*  The  ^  t  DOt  i:i2dc  ifac  bcarcst  vA  ifee  cirr*^ 

crcBtbcv  „..  r ^aibe  caiA,  snd /ran  uider  ihrfe  bca- 

Tcw."  Tix  chkl  p*rt  of  the  wwld  »»  CO*  bna^  onci'iy  *> 
'r^«4rcAlg«ii«a^  tfadioW  iciigiaa,  to  »dss*  «fecy  Lad 
ftftfcrH'  laych  »cegcr  liaii  •oy  ^f  i^r  tiaorio  give  an 
acoouDt  of.  TacT  h&d  c«  i  acc»iltci»od  K>  wortkif  t^^  e:ct  fo 
losg.  tbaitbrr  kbcw  not  a-.T  cigbnit|5  erf  it-  i«  wiJ  fi^sscrly 
fpokco  oiA»  i  icbf  uafaicwa  ior  a  naiio.  loifcarge  licir  gcdi. 
Jcr.ii  10.  II.  ;bsnaow  ik  greaurr  pirt  cIxdc  a*uoc*  ct  ibe 
ino-rn  wc'W  wert  trocgbi  to  can  off  ibeir  iom^  gods-  TL« 
««liiiu^ccf2oditiiattbeyworifeif?«d  wrrcaU  fc^rfiicr.  Tbc- 
ftnth  of  thr:^  w«rc  ca*  iwiy  tor  dsc  wc^ihip  cf  lH>  ir-t  Go^,  -^ 
C!:ri!^  tbe  cnlj  Siviwr  :  tat!  there  win-  ^   ic*.t»l- 

laret  of  Aat  lo  If.  H.  i?.  i5.  ••  And  tbe  ta  ftatt 

be  bowed  down,  aaf  ibc  hns^btk-cij  of  oca  0«il  t«  aiiic  lew  ; 
and  ibc  Lord  aUmc  ib.U  be  cztlttd  ta  Aal  <Ut.  Asd  tbe  fdoW 
IjcihaU  tsierSy  ^3li(b/'  Siocc  ^k^'nhateomc  to par6,  that  ibofe 
goiiihai  were  o©ee  fo  faaawa  ia  d»  worfd,ai  Jcp«er,  aod  !«•■■, 
asd  Min<rr3,  and  J«k>,  «rc  are  ocly  hewd  of  at  iliwfi  wMefc  «cre 
c^okl.  Tbey  h27c  CO  tempJet,  a6  akati,  ao  voifrippefs,  aod 
fcarc  nolhad  for  xna-.y  b»drcd  yean. 

N-w  is  cosac  tbe  end  of  ihc  oW  HtatJica  w&r!d  m  rtt  rrisctpd 
t,  ibc  Roaiancmpw*  Tfeb  great  re»cfcrtk»  and  cksssgc 
itc  of  the  wacld.  whh  that  •etrMjle  detnAio*  cf  Ae  ftcit 
fc«  who  tui  been  perfeMtort,  wco^pared.  in  KtT.  w.  toAe  «i4 
of  the  wo;M,  atid  Chtill  «»Bg  to  iiKfgeaicet ;  and  it  wfcat  b  boAt 
xm-neiiatdy  %iified  amkr  the  firth  fcal,  wtids  followed  npo^ 
tfcc  fo-Jsvodcr  tac  altar,  crying,  "  Hdw  bog.  O  Lord,  holy  and 
tn;e,  do*^  thou  not  artage  cm  tfood  on  then  that  d#cil  on  Ac 
eanh  ?*'  Tail  vi^sn  cf  t%c  firtb  fesl,  by  tbe  general  ccafent  cf  di- 
viaet  and  rxpofiton,  bai  refpca  lo  ibb  dowcfal  of  thr  Il.*ttca 
Ro:r.ia  csjpire ;  though  it  ba  amorc  rcoicte  rtfc'f^  to  tic  d^y  «f 
jurJrtsirci,  orthiswaiatjptofiL  Tfce  diy  ofjuffostrt  c&nnot 
be  what  is  isimtiiaitly  iatcndcd  ;  bccaufe  wcbiTe  sn  arc-^ast  of 
many  CTcr.ti  whicb  were  to  conve  to  pa  ft  ccdir  ibt  firr-!b  fef, 
and  fo  wtrr  tc  foliow  after  t^fc  cf  th<  f^h  fci^  Vrr^t  «r:e  ta 
pafs  now  if  ih'o  rcrrcfritcd  ty  it-c  ii  ~  ca^  cvt  cf  rtirrs 

to  the  earth.  In  his  great  f!rcr:gth  ace  ,  .  .  :U:ciij!:tj  Rc=:aa 
cojpirc.bc  had  ai  it  were  ezrl'cd  his  ibrcoc  up  to  h^sven.  Bet  r.ow 
tcfclllike  lighnbg  {rzmbczrtn,  a=d  wai  rorf:-ed  to  i-e  cinh. 
HU  kingdom  waj  coz^.:ici  to  e.c  mcaser  acd  Bccre  baiiaroa  ?;a- 
rioni,  or  ;o  the  losrcr  pirti  of  the  wcHd  of  nsi-.ki-d.  Tfiw  is  l^ 
event  foretold.  Rer.  xii.  9.  Sx,  "  A«»d  the  great  dra;:oa  wat 
*'  call  ouif  iLxl  oU  fcrpeai,  called  ifce  drrii  iski  SitK,  wiacb  da- 
(^  Q  oehrsh 


xo8  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y 

ccivcth  the  whole  world  :   h^  wat  caft  out  into  the  earth,  »nd  hU 
angels  were  ayi  out  with  h>*m."  &c.     Saian  templed  Cfcrift,  and 
promifcd  to  give  him  the   glory  of  the  kingdom«  of  the  world  j 
but  now  he  ia  obliged  to  give  it  to  him  even  againft  his  will.    This 
was  a  glorious  fultilmcni  of  that  prooiife  which  God  made  to  his 
Son,  that  we  have  an  account  of  in  K.  liii,    12.    **  Therefore  will 
I  divide  him  a  portion  with  the  great,  and  he  (hall  divide  the  fpoil 
wiih  the  ftrong  ;  bccaufehc  hath  poured  out  his  foul  unto   death  : 
and  he  was  numbered  with  the  tranfg:elTor»,  and  he  bare  the  fin  of 
many,  and  made  intcrccffion  for  the  tranfgrciTors."     This   was  a 
great  fulfilment  of  the  prophecies  of  ibc  Old  Tcf^ament  concerning 
the  glorious  time  of  the  gofpcl,  and  particularly  of  \hc  prnphccicB 
cf  Danic!.     Now  the  kin<»dom  of  heaven  is  come  in  a  gloriou*  de- 
gree.    It  picafed  the  Lord  God  of  heaven,  to  fei  up  a  kingdom  oa 
the  ruins  of  Satan's  kingdom.      And  fuch  fucccfs   is  there  of  the 
I'urch  fc  of  Chtiri's  redemption,  and  fuch   honour  docs  the  Father 
put  up-in  Chrift  for  the  difgrscc  he  fufl'^red,  when  on  earth.    And 
now  fee  to  what  a  height  that  glorious  building  is  erc<^ed,  which 
l);id  been  buiiJiag  ever  fmce  the  fall. 

In  F  E  R  K  N  c  E.  From  what  has  been  faid  of  the  fucccfs  of  the  gofpel 
fnmChrift's  a^ceL^on  to  the  liise  of  Conflantlne,  wc  may  deduce  a 
ftr  rjji;  arg'jcnent  of  the  trueChr  ftian  religion,  and  that  iht  gofpcl  oi 
JeiMiChrili  is  really  from  God.  this  wonderful  fuccefs  of  it  which 
has  been  fpokcn  of,  and  the  circumrtancei  of  It  which  have  beea 
mentioned,  arc  a  ftrong  argument  of  ii  fcveral   ways. 

I.     Wc  may  ga  her  from  what  has  been  faid,  that  it  is  the  gof* 
pel,  and  that  only,  which    has   2Ciuaiiy  been  the  means  of  bring- 
ing the  world  to  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,     That  thofe  arc 
no  gods  whom  the  Heathen  worshipped,  and  that  there  is  but  one 
only  God,  is  what,  now  fincc  the  gofpel  has  fo  tsught  ui,   we  can 
fee  to  he  truth  by  our  own  rcafon  :  it  is  plainly  agreeable  to  the 
light  of  nature  :   it  can  be  eafily  fl)own  by  rcafon  to  tc  dcmcnHra- 
biy  true.  The  very  Vslili  thcmfelvcs   acknowledge,  ihit  it  can  be 
demonftrated,  that  there  is  one  God,  and  but  os^c,  who  has   made 
and  governs  the  world.     But  now  it  is  evident  that  it  ii  the  gofpel, 
and  that  only,  which  has  a<51ually  been  the  means  of  bringing  men 
to  the   knowledge  of  this  truth :  it  was  not  the  ini>ru<Sions  of 
philofophers.     They  tried  in  vain  :    *'  The   world  by  wifdom 
knew  not  God.^'    fill  the  gofpel  and  the  holy  fcriptures  came  a. 
broad  in  the  world,  all  the  world  lay  in  ignorance  of  the  true  God 
and  in  the  greateft  darknefs  wiih  rcfpcd  to  the  things  of  religion, 
embracing  the  abfurdeft  opinions  and  prad^iccsf,  which  all  civilized 
Qatirns  now  acknowledge  to  be  child ilh  fooleriei.   And  fo  they  lay 
cn«,  age  after  another,  and  nothing  proved  cffe^^ual  to  enlightca 
shcsQt   The  lij>ht  of  oaturSf  sad  their  own  rcafca,  at^d  all  the  wif- 


th«  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T(  O  N,  109 

dom  of  learned  men,  fignificd  nothing  till  ihe  fcrip^'jrcs  cannc. 
But  when  thcfc  cxme  abroad,  thc>  were  lucccfsful  \o  bring  th« 
world  to  an  acknowledgement  of  the  cnc  onl)  iiuc  God,  and  to 
worlLij  and  fervchira. 

Hence  it  is  that  all  that  part  of  the  world  «vhich  now  do€»  own  one 
only  true  God,  Cbriflians,Jr:ws,  Mahometars,  and  even  Dcift*  too^ 
originally  came  by  the  knowlcd^eot  him.  It  is  owing  to  this  that 
they  are  not  in  general  at  thii  day  left  in  Hcathcnifli  darkncfs. 
They  have  it  all,  tirA  of  all,  either  imniediat<;!y  from  ths  fcriptuiej 
or  by  tradition  from  theii  fathers,  who  l.«d  it  firft  from  the  fcrip- 
tures.  And  doubtltfs  thcfc  who  now  dcfpife  the  fcripiurcs,  ar;d 
boaft  of  the  ftrengih  of  their  own  rcafon,  as  being  f'jfficicnt  to 
leal  in'o  the  knovrledge  of  the  one  true  God,  if  the  gofpcl  bad  ne- 
ver come  a  broad  in  the  world  to  enlighten  thcii'  forefathers,  would 
have  been  as  fottiAi  and  brutiih  idolaters  as  the  wcrld  in  general 
was  before  the  gcf pel  came  abroad.  The  lVa'*on:ctana,  who  own 
i  ur  one  true  God,  at  firft  borrowed  the  notici  from  the  fcripiurcs : 
for  the  firftMahomctans  had  been  educated  inthcChrlRian  religion, 
and  apof^atizcd  from  it.  This  is  evidential,  that  the  fcripture* 
were  defigned  of  God  to  be  the  proper  means  to  bring  the  wcrld  to 
the  knowledge  of  himfclf,  rather  than  human  rcafon,  or  any  thing 
elfe.  For  it  is  unrcafonabk  to  fuppofe,  that  the  gofpel,  and  that 
only,  which  God  never  defigncd  as  the  proper  means  for  obtaining 
this  cffe6>,  (hould  afllually  obtain  it,  and  that  after  human  resfon, 
which  hi  dcligned  as  the  proper  irean,  had  been  tried  for  a  grciil 
many  ages  without  any  cffcjfl^  If  the  fcripturcs  be  not  the  wokd 
of  God,  then  they  are  nothing  but  daiknefs  and  delufion,  yea  the 
greatei^  delufion  that  ever  wai.  Now,  is  it  reafonable  to  fuppcfc^^ 
that  God  in  his  providence  wculH  make  ufc  of  lalfthcod  and  delu- 
fion, and  that  only,  to  brinj;  the  world  to  the  knowledge  of  hinr.- 
felf,  and  that  no  part  of  it  (bould  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  cf 
bim  any  other  way  ? 

2.  The  gofpcVs  prevailing  at  ir  did  sgainft  fuch  powerful  oppo- 
fition,  plainly  fliowt  the  hmdof  God.  TncRornan  gnvcrgncut,  thag 
did  fo  violently  fet  itfcif  to  hinder  the  fucccfs  of  the  gofpel,  and 
to  fubduethe  chu>ch  ofChrift,  wa.s  the  moft  powerful  hnsisn  govern- 
ment that  ever  was  in  the  world  :  snd  not  only  fo,  but  they  fccmed 
as  it  were  to  have  the  church  in  their  handi.  The  Chrirtians  were 
moftly  their  fubje^ts,  under  their  command, and  never  took  up  arms 
to  defend  thcmfclves:  they  did  not  gAilcr  together. 3rd  Aj-nd  in  therr 
own  defence  ;  they  armed  ihemfelvcs  with  Dothirg  but  paiictice, 
and  fuch  like  fpiritual  weapons  :  and  yet  ih.'i  mig'^ty  povr?r  could 
not  conquer  them  ;  but,  on  th:  contrary,  Christianity  conquered 
Ihcm.  The  Roman  empire  had  fjbducd  the  world  ;  they  had  fub- 
(Ckied  m^ay  mighty  and  potcct  kijigrlQms ;  jbcj  fubdu:J  cSe  Gieeiaq 

BionarcSy 


310  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

monarchy,  when  they  were  not  their  fubje<fl?,  and  made  the  utmofV 
renftanoc  :  acid  yci  ibey  cr.ulci  not  conc^ucr  the  church  which  wa»  ta 

ihcir  hand's  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  were  lubducd,  and  finally 
ti  iumphed  over  by  the  church. 

3.  No  other  fu^Hcicnt  caufe  can  poilibly  be  afRgned  of  this  proy- 
pag'lion  ol  the  gofpcl,  but  only  God't  own  power.  Nothing  clfe 
canbs  dev'feJ^*  tfie  reason  of  it  but  thi».  Their  was  ceruinly  feme 
rcafon  He  c  was  a  great  and  wonderful  effect, the  mo  ft  remarkable 
change  thst  ever  was  in  the  fscc  of  «hc  world  of  mankind  fince  the 
fiood  ;  and  ihis  cft'ed  was  not  without  feme  caufc.  Now,  what 
.other  caufc  can  be  dcvi/ed  but  only  ihc  divine  power  ?  It  wai  nol 
the  outstard  ilreng>.h  of  the  in{l:um«nt»  whxh  were  employed  ia  ir» 
At  fir!^,  the  goTpcl  was  preached  only  by  a  ftw  tilicrmenj  who  were 
without  powc-r  ?n  i  worldly  inicrcfc  to  ftpport  then*.  It  wai  not 
their  craft  and  policy  (hit  produced  this  wonderful  cffcft  ;  for  they 
were  poor  iUittfate  men.  It  was  not  the  agrccaoicnefs  of  ih;f^ory 
they  had  to  tell  to  the  notions  and  principjs*  of  manicind.  This 
was  no  p»c  if  ant  fa  We  :  A  crucified  God  and  Saviour  was  to  the 
Jfivfs  a  numbling  block,  and  10  «hc  G:ce^s  fcolifhncft.  It  was  not 
the  sgrccablcncfj  pf  their  dc>0rinc5  tp  the  difpofitions  of  men  :  for 
no'ii.;g  is  mere  contrsry  to  the  corruptions  of  men  than  the  pure 
«3c<^rfncs  of  the  grjfpcl.  This  rtlcd^  ihciefore  caa  have  proccedc4 
frojij  no  othsr  caufe  shan  thcj  power  and  agency  of  God  :  and  if  the 
pnwcr  of  God  was  what  was  excrcifcd  Jo  c^uic  the  gofpel  to  pre- 
vail, then  the  gofptti  h  his  word  ;  for  furely  God  does  not  ufe  his 
almighty  power  to  promote  a  mere    impoi^urc   and   ddufion. 

4.  This  fucc^fs  is  agreeable  to  wha;  Chrift  andhii  apoftlci  forc- 

toU.— Matih.  ¥vj.  iS"  *'■  Upon   this   rock  will  i  build  my 

ciaufch  :  and  the  gates  of  hcU  feall  pot  prevail  a^aiafl  it."  Johci 
xii.  24.  **  Verily  verily  I  fay  unio  you.  Except  a  corn  of  whtat 
fall  into  the  ground  and  die,  it  abi  Icth&Icnc  :  but  if  it  die,  it  brings 
flh  forth  much  fruit."  And  vcrf.  31.  32,  "  Now  is  the  judge- 
ment of  this  worJtJ  :  now  fhall  the  prince  of  this  world  be  aaU  out. 
And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  ail  men  unto 
me."  John  avi,  8.  *'  When  he  (the  comforter)  is  cocnc,  he  will 
rcpcovt  the  world  of  fin,  of  righteoufncfs,  and  of  judgcmeat,— be- 
caufe  «he  prince  of  thi»  world  is  judged." 

So  the  Apoftle  P^ul,  in  i  Cor.  chap.  {,  21*— .28.  declare?, hovr 
thai  after  the  world  by  wifdom  knew  not  God,  it  plcafcdGod  by 
the  foolillincfs  of  p'eaching,  to  favc  them  that  believe  ;  and   ihit 
God  chofc  the  fooiiili  things  of  the  world,   to  confound  the  wife  ; 
and  wcsk  things  of  the  world,  to  confound  the  things  which  arc 
mighty:  and  liafc  things  of  the  world,   and  things  which  are  dc- 
fpifsd,  yea  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to  nought  things 
tiiat  >fc,------if  any  siaa  forctcUi  a  thing,  very  likdy  ia  iifelf  to 

cosift 


the  Work  ol    REDEMPTION.  tti 

ccme  to  pafs,  from  caufca  which  can  be  forefeen,,  it  is  cc  great  sr* 
gumcnt  oi  a  revcUti<^n  from  God  z  but  when  a  tbiog  h  foretold 
which  is  v^'ry  ynlikcly  ever  to  come  to  pafs,  i«  entirely  contrary 
to  the  common  courfc  oi  things,  snd  yet  it  does  come  to  pafs  jufl 
sgrceabie  to  the  prediction,  this  is  a  ftrong  argument  that  the 
prcdidion   was  Irom  God. 

Thus  the  cotifideration  of  the  manner  of  the  propagation  and 
fuccefs  of  the  gofpel  during  the  time  which  haa  been  fpoken  of, 
affords  great  evidence  that  the  fcriptures  are  the  word  oi  God. 

Hi,  lam  toihowhowthe  fuccefs  of  Chris's  redemption  ii 
carried  on  from  the  time  of  the  overthrow  of  the  Heathen  Roman 
empire  in  the  time  of  Conflantinc  the  Great,  till  the  fall  of  Aati« 
chrilt,  and  tbedel^rudion  of  Satan's  vifible  kingdom  on  the  earthy 
which  )s  the  third  great  difpenfatioa  which  is  in  fcripture  compar. 
cd  to  Chrift's  coming  to  judgc^ncnt.  This  is  a  period  wherein 
many  great  and  wonderful  things  are  btought  to  pafa.  Heron  is 
contained  a  long  ferics  of  wonderi  of  divine  providence  towards 
the  ©hriAian  church.  The  grea»er  part  of  the  book  of  Revelation 
|»  t^ken  «ip  in  foretelling  the  events  P^  ^^i*  period. 

The  fuccefs  of  Chrift's  purchafe  of  redemption  in  this  period, 
appears  mainly  at  iheclofc  of  it,  when  Antichri/^  comes  to  faUp 
when  there  will  be  a  far  ojore  glorious  fuccefs  of  the  gofpel  than 
ever  was  before  ;  and  that  long  fcrie»  of  events  which  are  before, 
fiem  to  be  only  to  prepare  the  way  for  it*  in  order  to  a  moriR 
clear  view  of  the  great  works  of  God  in  accomplifhing  the  fucceft 
of  Chrift's  redemption,  and  our  feeing  the  glory  of  them,  h  wiU 
be  necciTary,  as  we  have  done  in  the  foregoing  periods,  to  confider 
pot  only  the  fuccefs  itfelf,  but  the  oppofiiion  made  to  it,  and  the 
gre^t  work«  of  Satan  in  this  period  ag^s^infl  the  church  and  kingdom 
of  ChriA  :  and  therefore,  in  taking  a  view  of  this  period,  I  would 
take  notice  of  events  which  c/iay  be  referred  to  either  of  tbcfc  heads, 
yiz.cither  to  the  head  of  Satan's  oppofuioa  to  the  fuccefs  of  Ghrifl'a 
redemption,  or  to  the  head  of  fuccefs  of  Chrift's  redemption  :  and! 
for  the  more  orderly  confiderakion  of  the  events  of  this  period,  £ 
•would  divide  it  into  thefc  four  parts  :  the  htCi  reaching  from  the 
deP^ruiflion  of  the  Heathen  empire  to  the  rife  of  Antich/iit  ;  the 
fecond,  fron  the  rife  of  Antichrii\  to  the  reformation  in  Luther'f 
time  ;  the  third,  from  thence  to  the  prefcnt  time  ;  the  fourth,  from 
the  prefent  time,  till  Antichri/l  is  fallen,  and  Satan's  vifible  king- 
dom on  earth  is  dci^roycd. 

jjti  I  would  confider  the  events  of  the  firft  part  of  this  periods 
reaching  from  the  dcftru^tion  of  the  Heathen  empire  to  the  rife  of 
Antichrifl.  Here,  JirJ},  I  would  take  notice  of  the  opporiiion 
Satan  made  in  this  fpacc  of  time  to  the  church  J  snd,  J«ccr.dly^ 
Ihe  fueccfs  th^c  the  gofpel  bad  iii  itt 

u  Ih?; 


^'2  A     HISTORY     of 

I.  The  oppofiiion.  Satan  being  cafi  out  of  thij  old  Heathen 
empire,  the  great  red  drpgon,  after  fo  foie  a  confiid  with  Michael 
and  bit  angcU  for  the  greater  par!  of  three  hundred  years,  beirg  st 
laft  cntirciy  routed  and  vanquiihcd, fo  that  no  plicc  wa§  found  sny 
more  in  fccavcn  ior  him,  but  he  \^-di  caft  down,  at  ti  were,  from 
heaven  to  tht  earth  ;  yet  does  not  give  over  his  oppoiition  to  ihc 
woman,  the  church  of  Chrift,  concerning  which  all  this  conflid 
had  been.  But  he  is  ftiil  in  a  rage,  and  renews  his  attenapts,  and 
hai  recojrfe  to  new  devices  agaiaft  the  church.  The  f-pcni,  zhct 
he  13  cafl  out  of  heaven  to  the  earth,  cafts  out  of  his  mouth  water  as 
a  flood,  to  caufe  the  woman  to  be  carried  sway  of  &c  flood.  Tic 
oppofition  that  he  made  to  the  church  of  Chrift  before  the  rife  of 
Antichrift,  was  principally  of  two  forts.  It  was  cuter  ly  cor- 
rupting the  church  of  Chrift  with  heredes,  or  by  new  endeavours 
10  reftore  Pvganifm. 

(i)  1  would  obfervc,  tha!  after  the  deAru^icn  of  the  Heathcii 
Roman  empire,  Satan  infcficd  the  church  with  hercfici.  Though 
there  had  btfcn  fo  glorious  a  woik.  of  God  in  delivering  the  chuicb 
from  her  Heathen  perfecutors,  and  overthrowing  the  Heathen 
empire  ;  yet  the  days  of  the  church's  travail  not  being  ended,  and 
the  fet  time  of  her  profperity  not  being  yet  come,  as  being  what 
was  to  fuccced  the  fall  of  Aotichrift,  therefore  the  peace  and  prof- 
perity which  the  church  enjoyed  inConftantine's  time,  was  but  very 
ftierr  :  it  was  a  refpite,  which  gave  the  church  a  time  of  peace 
snd  filcnce,  as  it  were,  for  kalf  an  hour,  wherein  the  <ouf  angels 
held  the  four  winds  from  blowing,  till  the  fcrvanti  of  God  ihould  be 
fealed  in  their  foreheads.  But  the  church  foon  began  to  be  greatly 
iafcftcd  with  hercfies  ;  the  two  principal,  and  thofe  which  did  molt 
infeft  the  ohurch,   were  the  Arian  and  Pelagian  here^cs. 

The  Arians  began  foon  after  Ccnf^.antinc  came  to  the  throne. 
They  denied  the  do(f^rin«  of  the  Trinity,  and  the  divinity  of  Chrii) 
and  the  Holy  Crhoft,  and  maintained,  that  they  were  but  mere  cres* 
tures.  This  hcrcfy  increafcd  more  and  more  in  the  church,  and 
prevailed  like  a  flood,  which  threatened  to  overflow  all,  and  en- 
tirely to  carry  away  the  church,  infomueh  that  before  that  age  was 
cat,  that  is,  before  the  fourth  century  after  Chrift  was  hnifhed, 
the  greater  part  of  the  Chriftian  church  were  become  Arians  There 
were  fome  cmperon,  the  fucceflbrs  of  Conllantine,  who  were 
Arians  ;  fo  that  the  Arians  being  the  prevailing  party,  and  having 
the  civil  authority  on  their  fide,  did  raife  a  great  perfecution  a- 
gaiaft  the  true  church  of  Chrift  ;  fo  that  this  herefy  might  well  be 
compared  to  a  flood  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  ferpent,  which  threat- 
ened to  overthrow  all,  trnd  quite  carry  away  the  woman. 

The  Pelagian  herefy  arofc  in  the  beginning  of  the  next  certury. 
It  began  by  one  Vdagivi,  who  was  bora  in  Biiiain  :  bis  Bfitifh 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  21} 

name  was  Morgan,  He  denied  orginal  fin,  and  ihc  influence  of 
the  Spirit  of  God  inconveilion,  and  held  the  power  of  free  will, 
and  many  other  thing-*  of  like  tendency  ;  and  this  herefy  did  for 
a  while  greatly  infcfl  the  chu'ch.  Fcl.giui's  principal  antagonift, 
who  wrote  in  defence  of  the  orthodox  faith,  was  St  Auguftin. 

(2)  The  oihcr  kind  of  oppcfilion  which  Satan  made  againft 
the  church,  was  in  his  cndcavotTs  to  icftorc  Faganifm,  His  firfl 
aitcQ  pt  was  to  reftorc  it  in  the  Koman  empire,  was  by  Julian  the 
apoAace.  Julian  was  nephew  toConftantine  the  Great.  When 
Conf^antinc  died,  he  left  his  empire  to  his  three  fons ;  and  when 
they  were  dead,  Julian  the  apoftatc  reigned  in  their  ftead.  He  had 
been  a  profeffed  Chriftian  ;  but  he  fcli  fromChriftanity,  and  turn- 
ed P^gan  ;  and  therefore  he  i§  called  tht  apoftatt.  When  be 
came  to  the  throne,  he  ufed  his  utmo^*^  endeavours  to  overthrow  the 
Chri!\ian  church,  and  fet  up  Paganifm  again  in  the  empire.  He 
put  down  the  Chriftian  magii'iratei,  and  fet  up  Heathens  in  ihcif 
room  :  he  rebuilt  the  Heathen  temples, and  fet  up  the  Heathen  wor- 
fh'p  in  ihs  empire,  and  become amoft  notorious  perfecutor  of  the 
Chrirlians,  and,  as  is  thought,  againft  his  own  light :  he  ufed  to 
call  Chrift,  by  way  of  reproach,  tht  Galilean.  He  was  killed  with 
a  lance  in  bis  wars  with  the  Pcrfians.  When  he  faw  that  be  wai 
mortally  wouodtd,  he  took  a  handful  of  his  blood,  and  threw  it  up 
towards  heaven,  crying  out.  Thou  haft  overcome,  O  Galileao. 
He  is  commonly  thought  by  divines  to  have  committed  the  unpar- 
donable fin. 

Another  way  that  Satan  attempted  to  reftore  Paganifm  in  the 
Roman  empire,  was  by  tht  invofiom  and  conquejii  of  Heathen  nati" 
6ni*  For  in  this  fpsce  of  time  that  we  are  upon,  the  Goths  and 
Vandals,  and  other  Heathen  barbarous  nations,  that  dwelt  in  the 
north  of  the  Roman  empire,  invaded  the  empire,  and  obtained 
great  conqucft,  and  even  over -ran  the  empire,  and  in  the  fifth  cen- 
tury took  the  city  of  Rome,  and  finally  fubducd  and  conquered, 
and  took  polTelTion  of  the  Wel^crn  empire,  as  it  was  called,  or  the 
weftcrn  half  of  the  empire,  and  divided  it  amongft  them  ;  divided 
it  into  ten  kingdoms,  with  i^Wch  began  the  tea  horns  of  the  bcaft; 
for  we  are  told,  that  the  ten  horns  are  ten  kirgs,  who  fhould  rife  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  R  iman  empire  ;  thcfc  arc  alfo  rcprefentcd  by 
the  ten  toes  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  image.  The  invafion  and  con- 
quefti  of  ihcfe  Heaihcn  nations  are  fuppofcd  to  be  foretold  in  the 
8th  chapter  of  Revelation,  in  what  came  to  paf$  under  the  founding 
of  the  four  firft  trumpets.  Now  thefc  nations,  who  now  took  pof- 
(cfTIon  of  the  Wcftern  empire,  were  Healhcris  ;  io  that  by  their 
means  Hcathenifm  wai  again  for  a  while  rcllored  titer  it  bad  beca 
rooted  out, 

So 


fti4  A   HISTORY    of 

So  much  for  the  oppofnion  of  Satan  againft  the  fucccfs  of  the 
^ofpel  during  this  ipacc  before  the  rife  of  Aniiebrift.  1  pro- 
ceed, 

2    To  (ho^v  what  fuccefs  there  fras  of  the  gofpel  in  this   fpacc, 
COtwitbfUiDdfrjg  thii  oppoiilion. 

.  (i)  1  waul  i  obferve,  that  the  oppofitioti  of  Si«tan  m  ihoft  th:ng« 
vras  baffled.  Thoogh  the  dragon  caA  out  of  his  mouth  fuch  a  floc7d 
after  the  woman  i6  carry  her  away^  yet  he  could  not  obtain  bit  dc- 
rgn  ;  hu?  t^c  earth  helped  the  woman,  and  opened  her  moiJth,  and 
fwalJo wed  up  the  flood  which  the  dragon  cafl  out  of  his  mouth* 
Thcfc  hcrefies,  which  for  a  while  fo  ni^joh  prcvsiJcd,  yti  aficr  a 
whib  dwindled  away,  and  orthodoxy  «  as  agam  rcflorcd  :  and  hi« 
attempt  by  Julian  wa%  baflUcd  at  hi*  dtath. 

(2)  The  gofpel,  during  this  fpace  of  time,  was  further  propa- 
gsted  ^mongft:  many  b^rbaroui*  Heathen  nations  ii?  the  confines  of 
the  Roman  empire.  In  the  limc  of  Conftantine  there  was  a  catt' 
fidcrable  propagation  of  the  gofpc]  in  the  E^ift- ladies,  chicfiy  lly 
the  minlAry  of  one  Frumentius.  Great  numbers  of  the  Iberians 
an  Heathen  people,  were  converted  lo  Chriftianity  by  a  ChriAian 
woman  of  eminent  piety,  whom  they  had  taken  c^ptitc.  Some 
account  i»  given  of  fcveral  other  barbarous  nations  who  ■  were  not 
within  the  Roman  empire,  that  great  numbers  of  ihcm  were  bro'j 
to  receive  the  gofpel  by  the  tcar.hing  and  example  of  captives  ^.hona 
they' had  taken  in  war.  After  this»  about  the  year  of  Cht'id  372* 
the  gofpel  was  propagated  among  the  barbarous  people  that  dwell 
in  Arabia  ;  as  it  was  ilfo  amafig  fome  of  the  northern  nation?  j 
particularly  a  prince  of  the  country  of  the  Gcths  about  this  'ima 
Ivccome  Chrifiian,  and  a  great  number  of  his  people  with  him* 
Tcwardf  the  latter  end  of  this  century,  the  gofptl  was  alfo  further 
propagated  among  tht  Pcrilans,  and  alfo  the  Scytiiiang,  a  barbarous 
people,  that  the  apoftle  mentions  in  Col.  iii,  11.  "Barbarian, 
Scythian,  bend  nor  free." 

After  this,  about  the  year  430.  there  was  n  remarkable  convcr- 
fion  of  a  Heathen  people,  callctl  the  Burgundlan;,  to  the  Chriftiari 
faith.  Abe**:  the  fame  ttme,  in  thi^  age,  the  gofpel  began  to  bt 
prop?!gatedtn  Ireland  ;  and  the  Irifh,  who  till  now  had  been  Hea- 
then, began  to  receive  the  Chruiian  faith.  About  the  fanic  tim^ 
it  was  further  propagated  am'.;ng  fomc  barbarous  people  in  Scot- 
land, and  alfo  m  fome  other  places.  In  the  next  century  to  thif, 
one  Z:3 thus  :4  Heathen  king,  who  ruled  over  a  people  called  .r/r<t 
Colcbtans,  was  brought  to  renounce  hi«  Heathcnifm,  and  to  cm- 
brace  the  Chriftian  rc'»*^ion  Several  other  barbarous  nationi  arc 
ffecorded  to  have  renounced  Heathcnifm  and  embraced  Cbriflia&itjr 
about  thii  time,  that  I  canao:  Hand  to  mention, 

Tfau* 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION.  .215 

Thus  I  have  briefly  conTidercd  the  principal  events  of  provider  ce 
which  concern  the  fucccfs  of  the  gofpci  of  Chrift  from  Conftan!ia« 
to  I  e  rife  of  Aniichnft. 

idiy,  I  come  nortr  to  the  fccond  part  of  the  time  from  C onfian- 
tiot  lo  ihcdtrrtrurtioaof  Aniichri(l,viz  thit  nhich  rcachci  frcai  the 
fife  ot  A->k':Chrift  to  the  rcto* annuo  by  Luther  and  others  ibis 
i«  the  darkcftand  mof\  difmal  day  that  ever  the  chriilian  chwrch 
faw,  and  probably  the  da;kcft  tbit  ever  it  will  fee.  The  time  of 
the  chu  ch'i  aHli<flion  and  psrfccuiion,  ai  «rai  obferved  before,  is 
from  Chrift'ii  refurredion  till  the  dtftruftion  of  Anrich/irl,  except. 
ing  wrhai  the  day  ii,  as  it  were,  fiioisened  by  feme  intermi/Iionj  <nd 
timci of  rcfpiic,whichG  >d  givei  for  the  elcft's  f-ke.  But  ihia  j.mc 
from  the  rife  of  An'ichii/l  till  the  Reformation,  was  a  fp.cc  vkheic- 
in  the  Chriflian  church  waJ  in  'ti  grcatci^  dtp'b  of  dcprclJon,  and 
its  darkcfl  lime  of  all.  The  true  church  in  this  fpacc  was  fo:  many 
hundred  years  in  a  Aateof  grea  obfcurity,  like  the  wcmsn  ia  ihe 
wildernefs  :  indeed  (he  wasalmoft  hid  from  fght  ;jnd  obfcrv^tion. 
In  fpeaking  of  the  cvcnli  of  this  fp^ce  of  time,  I  would,  1 ,  Take 
notice  of  the  great  machinations  aed  work*  o^  the  rcvil  againft  the 
kingdom  of  Chifl  during  this  time  j  2  Hjw  the  church  of  Cbtift 
was  upheld  during  this  time. 

I.  I  would  t-ke  notice  of  iht  great  worts  of  thedcvll  agair /^  the 
kingdom  of  Chrif\  during  this  time.  Satan  h<d  dene  great  thirgg 
againfl  the  Chriftian  church  be'orc,  but  had  been  b  .fflcd  orce  and 
again.  Michael  and  his  angele  had  obtained  a  glorious  vif'^cry. 
How  terrible  was  this  oppcdtion  during  the  continuance  of  ih  Hea- 
then empire  j  and  how  glorious  W4»  CnrilKs  vi<^l  ry  and  triumpli 
over  him  in  the  timcofConftamine  !  Ic  pleafed  God  now  to  pre- 
pare the  way  for  a  yet  mof*  glorious  victory  over  him,  to  buffer 
bim  to  renew  bis  (\rcngth,  and  to  do  the  utmcn  th-t  his  power  and 
fubtilty  can  help  him  to  ;  and  therefore  he  fuff^rs  him  to  have  a 
long  time  to  Uy  his  fchemes,  and  to  e(labl*f1i  hiii  intercf),  and  m?ke 
his  matters  f^rong;  and  fuffcrs  bim  to  carry  his  deflgns  a  great  le?  gt^ 
indeed  almoft  to  the  f wallowing  up  of  his  church  ;  and  to  exccr- 
cife  a  high,  and  proud,  and  almoin  urcontrouled  dominion,  \^ 
the  world,  a  long  time  before  Chrift  finally  conquers,  and  fubducs, 
and  utterly  ruins  his  vifible  kingdom  on  earth,  as  he  will  do  in  the 
time  of  thedeftrudion  of  Antichrti^  :  thus  glorioifly  triumphing 
over  bim,  after  be  has  done  the  uimoft  that  his  power  and  fubnliy 
can  extend  to,  and  Ihowirg  that  he  is  above  him«  after  he  has  dealt 
ttof)  proudly,  and  lifted  himfelf  highei^  of  all. 

The  two  great  works  of  the  devil  which  he  in  this  fpace  of  tfme 
wrought  againft  the  king  ^om  of  ChrifV,  are  his  creating  his  Anti- 
chriftian  and  Mahometan  kingdoms,  which  have  been,  and  ftijl 
are,  two  kingdoms  of  great  extent  and  f^rength,  both  together  fwaU 
lowing  up  the  aocicnt  Koman  empire  ;  ibe  kiogd&m  o'  AntickriH 
D  d  XwaiicwiDg 


2i6  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y 

fwallowing  up  ihc  Weft^rn  empire,  and  Satan^s  Mahometan  kiri^^ 
dotn  tbc  E,.ft<:ra  cmpivc.  A*  ;he  fcripturcs  in  the  book  of  Reve. 
htions  reprcftntei  it,  it  is  in  the  deftruftiod  of  thefs  that  the  glori.. 
ous  viftory  of  Chrirt,  at  the  fntrodu*'^soa  of  the  gloiious  time*  of 
the  ch'Kch,  will  mitnly  conii\t.  Here  let  ys  briefly  obferve  bovi^ 
Satan  cre.^J  snci  mn'ntains  tbefc  two  great  kingdoms  of  bis  in  op* 
pofiiion  to  the  kingdom  of  Chri^. 

(i)  With  reV*"^^  *o  ♦''«  ^^fg^onr  of  Antichrif^.  This  fcewg 
to  bethemafler  piece  of  fill  ihc  conrrivances  of  tkc  devil  agaiaft  the 
kingdom  of  Chrift,  and  is  evidently  fo  fpoken  of  In  fcripture,  and 
therefore  Aniichrift  h  the  man  of  iic,  or  that  man  of  fin*  2  Thcf.  ii. 
3»  He  is  fo  CiMed  f-nphatically,  a«  though  he  was  fo  eminently* 
So  he  is  called  yhtichri^,  which  fignifics  the  opponent  or  advcrfary 
of  Cbrsi^.  Not  that  he  is  thi  only  opponent  of  Chrift  j  there  were 
many  other*  bciidcs  hsm.  The  ApoRie  John  obfervcs,  that  in  his 
days  there  were  msny  Aniichrifts.  But  yet  this  is  called  ths  Jnti* 
chrijf,  as  though  there  were  none  but  fie,  bccaufe  be  was  fo  cmi. 
tsentiy,  and  above  all  oihtrr.  So  this  contrivance  of  the  devil,  is 
salhd  thi  myjlery  of  iniqkity,  t  Tbcf,  ii'  7'  Wc  find  no  enemy  of 
Chrifi  one  oaif  fo  much  iprkcn  of  in  the  prophecies  of  XcvisUliori 
as  thijn  ;  and  the  def^rtiftiob  of  no  enemy  is  fpoken  of  as  fo  glorious 
and  happy  for  the  church  The  craft  and  fubtilty  of  the  devil,  a. 
have  all  appears  in  this  work  of  his  ;  as  might  be  /hown,were  it  not 
that  is  would  coafume  too  «uch  time. 

This  is  a  contrivance  of  the  devil  to  tmn  the  miniftry  of  thcChrif- 
tiaa  church  into  a  mlnif^ry  of  th^,  devil,  and  to  turn  thefe  angels  of 
the  churches  into  f«llen  ungeis^  and  fo  into  devils.  In  the  tyranny^ 
and  fuperilition,  and  idolatry,  and  perfccution,  which  he  fcts  up, 
he  contrives  to  make  an  i:»ugc  of  ancient  P^ganifm,  and  more  than 
to  rcfiore  what  was  loft  in  the  empire  by  the  overthrow  of  Pagsa- 
Uca.  in  the  timr;  of  GonUantsnc  :  fo  that  by  ibefc  means  the  head 
of  the  beaft,  which  was  wounded  unto  death  in  Conflantine,  has  bia 
deadly  wound  be 5kd  in  Antichrift,  Rev.  xiii  3.  The  dragon,  thart 
formc»ly  feigned  in  the  H^^athen  Roman  empire,  being  caft  out 
thence,  aftci'  the  beal^  with  fevcn  heads  and  ten  horns  rifcs  up  out 
of  the  fea,  gives  him  his  power,  and  feat,  and  great  authority  ;  and 
all  the  world  wonders  after  ihe  bcaft. 

I  am  far  from  pretending  to  detcroatne  the  time  when  the  reign 
of  Antichrift  began,  which  Is  a  point  that  has  bsen  fo  much  con- 
troverted among  divines  and  expofitors.  It  is  certain  that  the  126(3, 
days,  or  years,  which  are  fo  often  in  fcriprure  mentioned  as  the 
time  of  the  continuance  of  Anticfarift's  reign,  did  not  commerrccf 
before  the  year  of  Chrift  479;  becaufe  if  they  did,  they  would  have 
eroded,  and  Anticbrifi  would  have  fallen  before  now.  But  I  ibaU 
not  prcteod  to  determi&e  precifely  bav  lobgii  was  after  this  th;|;{ 


the  Workof   EEDEMFTION.  ti? 

ihH  period  becan.    The  rife  of  Antiehrift  wM  gradual.  TkChrif- 
tian  church  corrupted  itfelf  in  »>ny  .hi»g.  prefentl,  .ft«  Conft.n- 
tine'.  lio,e,  growing  more  and  more  fuperftir.ous  m  .t.  «°'^>V.\^^ 
degreei  briogiog  in  many  eercmon.e.  .n.o  the  worib.p  of  God.tU 
at  length  they  bro.ght  in  the  worftip  of  f.i„t»..nd  f.t «?  .cn.g«  m 
their  churche.,  and  the  clergy  in  general,  and  efpecu  .y  the  biftop 
of  Rome,  aff.imed  more  and  more   .ulbonty  to  bimfrlf.     In  tbe 
primitive  timcibe  wii  only  a  miniftei  of  a  congregaaon  ;  tlieB  a 
Sanding  moderator  of  a  prcftytery  ;  then  adiocef.c  bifhop  j  then  a 
metropolitia.  which  i.  equivalent  to  an  atchbiihop  ;  'M"  ^f  *"  " 
patriarch;  then  aftervrards  he  claimed  the  power  of  unlvetfalb.lhop 
over  th.  whole  ,ghrifti»n  church  through  the  world  ;  wherein  he 
wa,  oppofcd  for  a  while,  but  afterward,  was  conhrraed  m  it  by  ih^ 
civil  power  of  tbe  Emperor  in  the  year  6c6      After  tba  I  e  cU.m 
ed  the  power  of  that  temporal  prince  ,  and  fo  wa,  won.    o  car  y 
,wo  fword..  to  fignify  Ihat  both  the  .corporal  *'>'!,;P';,'"''/*°'° 
was  hfai  and  claimed  more  and  more  authority,  till  at  length  he.  as 
Cbrift'.  vicegerent  on  earth,  claimed  the  very  fame  power  tlu 
Cbrift  would  have,  if  he  wa,  prefent  on  e,nh.  and  «'g«d  o^^  ^  ' 

throne,  or  the  fame  power  that  bt^S''"'^°'''r  -U  rhe^rircc    of 
Gcd»  .arih  ;  and  ufed  to  be  fubmuted  to  by  alt  'b«  ?";■="''' 
Chriftendom.   He  claimed  power  to  crown  prince,,  and  to  drgrade 
them  at  hi.  pleafute  ;  and  thi.  power  wa.  owned  :    and  it  can^e  to 
that,  that  king,  and  empe-or.  ufed  to  k.f.  hi.  feet.     Tbe  emperor, 
were  wont  to  receive  their  crov/n,  «  hi.  harvd.,  an:!  prirce.  w«e 
were  wont  to  dread  the  difpleafure  of  tbe  Pope,  a.  .hey  would  d^ead 
a  thunderbolt  from  heaven  ;  for  if  th=  Pope  w=.  pUafea  to  excom- 
municate a  ptince.all  hi.  f»bjea!  were  at  once  freed  from  theu  aHe- 
eiance  to  him  ;  yea,  and  obliged  no?  to  own  h.m  any  more.;  on 
pain  of  excommunication  }  and  not  only  fo,  but  iny  man  a;i.v  I 
kill  him  where. ever  he  found  him.     A..d  futther    the  Pope  w,, 
believed  to  have  power  to  damn  .sen  at  pl=afure  ;  for  whoejer  d..d 
under  hh  eicommunication.  wa.  looked  upon  ""'^fj  1a,|,^.d 
And  feveral  emperor,  were  afiuaUy  dcpofed    and  y-  Oed.  a,.d  died 
miferable  by  hi.  mean.  ;  and  ii  ih«  people  of  a»y  Kat-^ or   kingdom 
did  not  pleafe  him.be  had  power  to  lay  tba.ftatc  or  kmgdom  under 
an  interdia,  which  was  a  fentenoe  p-onouac.d  by  .h=  P.-pe  agamft 
Ihat  (late  or  kingdom,  whereby  aU  facrcd  adm.n.f.rauon.  among 
,hem  could  have  no  validity.     There  could  be  ro  valil  bapttfat, 
orfaerament..orprayer.,or  preaching  or  pudon..  till  that  in- 
•erdiawu  taken  o(r;fo  that  that  peop.e  remained,    in  ««.r  ap^ 
prehenfion,  in  a  mifer.ble,  damnable  fts.e   and  t!-.erefore  dreaded 
•     it.,  they  would,  ftorm  of  fire  and  br.mftonefrom  heav..,.     Inor- 
(Jer  to  execute  hi.  wrath  on  a  prince  or  people  with  whom  the  I  jpr 
waadifpleafcd,  other  priMCmuP.  a'.fo  be  put  to  a  g.eat  deal  o* 
ouble  acd  expence. 


*i?  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  y  of 

Ai  the  P  >pe  and  his  clergy  robbed  the  people  of  their  ecdefiaftlca^ 
and  civil  liberties  and  privileges,  (o  they  alfo  robbed  tbcm  of  their 
cAatcn,  and  drained  all  Chriftendom  of  their  iponcy,  and  ingrcifccj 
the  aEioft  of  their  riches  into  their  own  coffers,  by  their  vaft  reve- 
nues, befdcs  p;}y  for  pardons  and  indulgences,  baptifais  and  eztreoi^ 
Unction*,  dciivcraaccout  of  pu'galory,  and  an  hundred  other  thing) 
—-See  ho»»  well  this  agrees  with  the  prophecies,  2  Thef.  ii.  3  4* 
D^n.  vii    20     2  1.    Rry    xiii.  6,  7.  and  chap.  xvii.  3    4. 

I)jring  this  time  alfo  rupcrftition  and  ignorance  nioic  and  mor^ 
prevailed.  Tnc  holy  fcripturcs  by  degrees  were  t  ken  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  1-ity  the  better  to  promote  the  unforiptualand  vvrckti 
dcfigns  of  the  P-pc  and  the  clergy  :  and  inHcacI  of  promoting 
knowledge  amo;ig  die  pcopIc,they  indiiftiriouflyproaaoJed  ignorance* 
It  was  s  receive;!  m^itiqi  acnong  thca.  That  ignorance  is  the  mothcf 
of  devotion  :  and  fo  great  was  the  cjarkncfs  of  rhofe  times,  that 
\ learning  was  altDoft  cxunc^  in  the  world,  the  very  prices  them- 
iclves,  moft  of  ttivCi,  were  barbaroufly  ignorant  as  to  any  com- 
xncndabic  learning,  or  any  other  Jsnowlcd^e,  than  their  he'ilifti 
craft  in  cpprcifipg  and  tyrannizing'  over  the  iciih  of  the  pcople<> 
Tnc  fupcrftitioa  and  ^Itkcdnefs  oJ  the  church  Rome,  kept  grow* 
ing  worfe  and  worffi  liU  the  very  ilme  oi  the  R-ioimaion  ;  and 
the  whole  Chriiiian  world  «ere  led  avyay  ipto  this  great  defedior^, 
excepting  the  rc^aaiiis  of.  ihtChriflian  church  in  the  Eaftcrn  cmpite 
th«it  had  hot  been  utterly  overthrown  by  the  Turk?,  85  the  Grctk 
church,  and  fenr.e  oibcr?,  which  were  alfo  funk  into  great  daikncfs 
and  grofs  fupcrftitioit,  excepting  alfo  thofe  few  that  were  the  pea- 
pic  o  God,  who  are  rcprcfcnted  by  the  vyoman  in  the  i^ilderuc(^^ 
and  Goi'i  two  wimcfTcs,  of  which  laorc  hereafter. 

Thi»  is  one  of  thofe  two  gqat  kingdoms  which  the  devil  in  ihiiJ 
period  cred:d  in  oppofiu^n  to  the  kingdom  of  ChriA,  and  wa« 
the   greateft  and   chief.     1  come  now, 

(2;  To  fpcrik  of  the  other,  the  fecond,  which  is  in  tnany  refpe^^s 
like:  unto  it,  viz.  his  M  homeian  kingdom,  which  is  another  great 
kingdom  of  mighty  power  and  vaft  extent,  fct  up  by  Satan  againft 
the  kingdom  of  Chnft  :  he  fet  this  up  in  ihc  Ealtcrn  empire,  as  he 
did  tbnt   of  Antichritt  in  the  Wef^em. 

Mihotnci  wasb-nn  in  the  yeir  of  Chrif^  570,  in  Arabia.  Whtn 
he  was  about  foriy  years  of  age,  he  began  to  give  forth  that  he  waf 
the  great  prophet  of  God,  and  began  to  teach  iiis  new  invented 
religion,  of  which  he  was  to  be  worfhippcd  as  the  bead  next  under 
G.>d.  He  publJfhed  his  Alcoran,  which  he  pretended  he  received 
from  the  angel  G;*bricl  ;  and  bcirg  a  fubtlc  crafty  man,  and  pof- 
lefTcd  of  confiderablc  wealth,  and  living  among  a  people  who  were 
very  ignorant,  and  greatly  divided  in  their  opinions  of  idigioui 
mattori,  by  fubticty,  sad  fair  promifcs  of  a  fenfual  paradil-,  he 

garnid 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  ii^ 

gained  a  number  to  be  his  followers,  and  fet  op  for  their  prince, 
and  pop'g^tcfi  hi>  religion  by  ibc  (word,  and  made  it  meritorioui 
of  pdradifc  to  fi^ht  for  hioi.  By  which  means  hit  party  grew,  and 
went  on  fighting  till  ihcy  corqucred  and  biought  over  the  neigh- 
bouring countriei ;  and  fo  hii  party  gra'dutlly  gr^w  till  they  over- 
ran a  great  part  of  the  worlrf.  Firft,  the  S=*riceni,  who  were  fomi 
of  bis  loHowtrs,  and  were  a  people  of  the  country  of  Arabia,  where 
M>thr  met  lived,  about  the  year  700,  bcgtn  dreadfully  to  wafte 
the  K. man  empire.  Xreyover-r  n  a  great  many  countriei  be- 
fungit  g  to  the  empire,  and  coi>tinued  their  coi.q<jeft  for  a  long 
liiae.  Thefc  are  fuppofed  ro  be  meant  by  the  locuftj  that  wc  read 
of  in  the  9  h  cnsptcr   of  Revelation. 

A^ter  thii  the  Ta^ks,  who  were  originally  another  pcopIc,difFer- 
«nr  from  the  Saracfn*,  but  were  followers  of  Mahomtt.  conquered 
aii  the  Eifiern  empire  They  began  their  empire  about  the  year 
cf  Chrifl  1296,  and  began  to  invade  Europe  about  1300,  and  iooIk 
Confiantinopte,  and  fo  became  masters  of  ail  the  E^fte/o  empire 
jn  the  year  1453,  which  is  near  three  hundred  years  ago.  Tkus 
£li  ihcfc  cities  and  countries  where  were  ihofc  famous  churches  of 
olJ,  that  we  read  of  in  the  New  TeAament,  as  Jerufalem,  Antiocb, 
Ephcfus,  Corinth,  tic.  now  all  became  fubjett  to  the  Turks.  And 
{hey  took  polTeiiion  of  ^onftanlinoplc,  \%hi«h  was  nsmed  after 
Conftantine,  the  Great,  being  wade  by  him  the  head  city  of  tht 
Koman  empire,  whereas  Rome  had  been  till  then.  Thcfc  arc  fup- 
pofed to  be  prcpfatricd  of  by  the  hoifcmcn  it^  the  9'.h  chapter  of 
Ktvclation,  beginning  with  to*  J  5  th  vcrfe.  The  Kemains  of  the 
CbrJ/^ians  that  arc  in  thofc  parti  of  the  world,  who  are  mcftly  of 
the  Greek  cjurch,  are  in  miferablc  fisvery  under  thefc  Tu^ks,  and 
treated  with  a  great  deal  of  barbarity  and  cruelty,  and  are  become 
moAly  very  ignorsnt  snd  fupcrf^itious. 

Thus  1  have  rnowr-  what  great  works  of  S^tan  were  wrought  dur- 
iBg  this  fpacc  of  lime  in  oppofiiion  to  the  kingdom  of  Chrifl. 

2.  I  come  now  to  fhow  how  the  church  of  Chrift  was  upheld 
ihrough  this  dark  time  "  ."  Hire, 

( I )  (t  is  to  be  obferycd,  that  towards  the  former  part  of  thii  fpace 
of  lime,  fomc  of  the  natipni  of  Chrii^cndom  held  out  a  long  time 
before  they  complied  with  the  corrupiioRs  and  ufurp^tions  of  the 
church  of  Rome,  Though  all  the  world  wondered  after  the  bcaft, 
yet  all  nauons  did  not  fall  in  at  once.  Many  of  the  principal 
corruptions  of  the  church  of  Rome  were  brought  in  with  a  great 
deal  of  ftiuggle  and  oppofition  ;  and  particularly,  when  the  Pope 
gave  out,  that  he  was  univerfal  bi(^op,  many  churches  greatly  op- 
pofcd  him  in  it ;  and  it  was  a  long  time  before  they  would  yield 
Co  hit  exorbitant  claims.  And  fo,  Vfhen  the  worfhip  of  images 
mt  firft  brought  into  ibc  churchei,  there  vcrc  many  who  greatly 

cppofed 


*:• 


A    HISTORY 


oppofcd  It.  .nd  long  hdd  out  agatnft  ...  And  {o  w.th  rcfpta  la 
o^er  corruption,  of  th.  church  of  Rome.  1  hof.  pccpic  'h«  d«=»« 
nMt«  the  cUv  of  R-me  ecmplied  fooncr.  but  feme  thai  were 
more  remote, '««»  a  long  tim«  before  they  could  f;""^""^."' 
pat  their  necS..  under  the  yoke  :  and  p.ttSculatly  ecclcfiaft.c.1  hif- 
iofv  eive.  »a  account,  tl;at  It  was  fo  with  great  part  of  the  churehe. 
in  England,  and  Scotland,  and  Fc.nce,  who  retained  the  ancient 
purity  of  dodtine  and  woiftjp  much  longer  than  many  oiheri, 
who  w"e  nearer  the  chief  feat  of  Antichtift.  _ 

(t)  in  every  age  of  this  dark  time,  there  appeared  particular 
nerfont  in  ail  puts  of  Chrifteadcm,  who  bore  a  teftimony  agunfl 
fhe  corruption,  and  tyranny  of  the  church  of  Rome.    There  ..one 
1  of  Antichrift,  c«a  in  the  da.keft  time,  of  all.  but'f  «'«'"• 
biftorian.  mention  great  c-any  by  nam..  "'>°°"'f'f '»,!! f''I'°'; 
rencc  of  the  Pope,  and  hi.  idoUtrou,  >.ccG,.p.  and  pl<aded  for 
"ncien.  purity  ^f  dodrinc  and  wo.lbip.     GckI  «a.  p  eafed  to 
maintain  an  uninLrupted  <u,«ffi«n  of  wimcTe.  through  the  «hok 
.i,re    in  Germany,  France.  Britain,    and  other  countrie.  ;    as 
"morhn,  drontte.  nnd  mention  .h,m  by  name    and  g.ve  an 
account  of  the  teftimony  which  they  held.     Many  of  «b«»  *"« 
private  perlon..  and  mar^of  .hem  minifier.,  and  fomem.g.ft.ates. 
.nd  perfom  of  great  diiliadlion.   And  there  were  number,  m  every 
lewho  were  perfecuted  and  put  to  de.th  for  tbt,  tefi.mony. 

(3)  Befide^thefe  p.rticuUr  perfon.  difperfed  b«<  »"«' '^;«' 
t^ere  «a.  a  ce.t.m  people,  called  the  ITMcnJn.  who  l.«d  fepa- 
au  from  all  the  reft  of  the  world,  who  keptthemWve.  pure  and 
rlf>a.Hv  bo'e  a  teftimony  againft  the  church  of  ^ome  through  al 
bSd  rk  tte.    The  pi^  where  they  dwelt  wa.  the  Vaudo  .^  or 
Ihe  f  ve  valley,  of  Eiedmont.  a  very  mountampus  '^"""'J'- b"""" 
l„l,   and  Fvance.     The  place  the,  lived  7"  f """Pf fj, '^°^^ 
'^Sthofe  exceeding  high  mountain,  called  ,*,  ^/f..  .""f  "'^^ 
Tlmoft  impsMe.    The  paiTage  over  thefe  mount.mou    defe  « 
rountrie,   wa,  fo  ditScuU.  that  the  valleyi  where  th..  people  dwek 
^re     monaacceffable.    There  , hi,  people  lived  for  ma.y  age,,. 
r;'it  were,  alone,  in  a  ft,te  of  reparation    rom  all  the  w  rid     - 
ing  very  little  to  do  with  any  other  people.    Taere  «h«y    "' 

,.r  fubmitled  lo  the  church  of  Rome.  One  ol  '^'/''P^*  "^;",". 
Jpeaking  of  the  Waldenfe,,  fay..  The  heref,  of  «h« Jf>  ^"f^, '^ 
the  oldeft  herefy  in  the  world.  It  i.  fuppofed  that  thi,  P«°P« J^" 
trok  ifcemfclve.  to  ibi. defcrt  fccrct pUee  ataongthe tnounu.n,. 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  1 1  O  N.  211 

ki  hide  themfelvcs  from  iht  fcvcriiy  of  tht  Hcaihca  perfcciitiont . 
which  were  before  Conftmtinc  the  Great,  Thus  the  woman  fled  . 
into  the  wildern^fs  from  the  face  of  the  ferpent.  Rev.  xii.  6.  And 
fo,  vcrf,  1 4..  •'  And  to  the  woman  were  given  two  wingi  of  a 
great  eagle,  that  (he  might  fly  into  the  wildernefs,  into  her  place  : 
where  fhe  is  nojrifhed  for  a  time,  and  times,  and  half  a  time,  from 
the  face  of  the  ferpent."  The  people  being  fettled  there,  their  pof- 
ferity  continued  there  from  age  to  age  afterwards  :  and  being,  as 
it  were, by  natural  walls,  as  well  as  by  God's  grace,  fcparated  from 
the  reft  of  the  world,  never  partook  of  the  overflowing  corruption* 

Thefe  efpccialiy  were  ihofc  virjins  who  were  not  defiled  with 
the  refl  of  women, or  when  other  women  proflituted  themfelvei  and 
were  defiled  ;  but  they  kept  thecifelves  pure  for  Chrift  alone  : 
they  followed  the  Lamb,  their  fpiritual  hufband,  whitherfocver  he 
went :  they  followed  him  into  this  hideous  wildernefs,  Rev.  xiv.  4. 
^..;.....Thetr  dodrine  and  their  worfiiip,  as  there  ftill  remain  ac« 
couftts  of  them,  appear  to  be  the  fame  with  the  ProteAani  do^rine 
and  worfli'p  ;  and  by  the  confeifion  of  Popilh  writers,  they  were  a 
people  remarkable  for  the  ftrii^nefs  of  their  Hvei,  for  charity  and 
other  Cbriftian  virtues.  They  lived  in  external  poverty  in  thtt 
hideous  country  -,  but  they  chofe  this  rather  than  to  comply  with 
the  great  corruptions  of  the  refl  of  the  world. 

They  lived  in  fo  fecret  a  place,  it  was  a  long  time  before  they 
feem  to  have  been  much  taken  notice  of  by  the  Romanifts ;  but  a8 
lafl  falling  under  obfervation,  they  went  out  in  mighty  armies  a. 
gainft  them,  and  fell  upon  them  with  infatiable  cruelty,  barbarouf- 
ly  mafl'acring  and  putting  to  death,  men,  women,  and  children^ 
with  all  imaginable  tortures ;  and  fo  contiaued  perfecuting  them 
with  but  little  intermilTion  for  feveral  hundred  years  ;  by  which 
means  many  of  tbem  were  driven  out  of  their  old  habiutioni  in 
the  valleys  of  Piedmont,  and  fied  into  all  parts  of  Europe,  carrying 
with  them  their  doctrine,  to  which  many  were  brought  over.  Sd 
their  perfecutors  could  not  by  all  their  cruelties  extirpate  the  church 
of  God  5  fo  fulfilling  bis  word,  '*  that  the  gates  of  hell  (hould  not 
prevail  againf^  it." 

(4)  Towards  the  latter  part  of  this  dark  time,  feveral  noted  di- 
vines openly  appeared  to  defend  the  truth,  and  bear  teftimony  a- 
gainft  the  corruptions  of  the  church  of  Rome,  and  had  many  fol« 
lowers.  The  fird:  and  principal  of  thefe  was  a  certain  Englifli  dU 
vine,  whofc  name  was  yohn  fViMfft  who  appeared  about  140 
years  before  the  Reformation,  and  ftrenuoufiy  oppofed  the  Popifli 
religion,  and  taught  the  fame  do(^rinc  that  the  Reformers  after- 
wards did,  and  had  many  followers  in  England.  He  was  hotly 
perfecuted  in  his  life-n'mc,  yet  be  died  in  peace  ;  and  after  he  wag 
juried,  his  bones  were  dug  up  by  his  perfecutocs,  and  burnt.  Hit 
followers  remaiacd  in  costJldcrable  n«mb::rs  in  Ecgland  till  the  Rc- 

formatioo 


CJ2  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

fot-mation,  sod  were  cruelly  perfecutcd,  and  multiludei  ^Ut  to 
death  for  their  reiigioa. 

Wickliff  bad  many  difciplci  and  followeri,  not  only  inEngland, 
but  in  other  parts  of  Europe,  whiihcr  his  book»  wcfe  ckxnai  ;  and 
particularly  in  Bohemia,  among  vihom  were  two  eminent  divines» 
the  n-^me  of  one  Was  y^hn  Hufs,  the  ether's  name  was  "Jtrom,  a 
divine  belonging  to  Prague,  the  chief  city  of  Bohcmis,  Thefc 
ftrenuoufly  oppofed  the  church  of  Rome,  snd  had  many  w^o  ad* 
hercd  to  them.  They  were  both  burnt  by  the  Paplfh  fi-r  thei  doc- 
trine ;  ^Tid  their  followers  in  BDhemia  were  cruelly  pcrfwcuicd,  bul 
never  extirpated  till  the  Reformation. 

Thus  having  gone  through  this  dark  time  of  the  church,  which  it 
the  fecond  p  rt  of  the  fpjcc  from  Conftantine  to  the  deiirudtion  o£ 
Anlichr'n,    I  come  now, 

3<y/y,  To  the  third  pirt,  v^t.  that  which  feeg'ns  with  the  Refor- 
mation, an^  reaches  to  the  pre fenl  time.  And  here  1  wouH,  I. 
Spe;k  of  the  Rcformuion  iifelf ;  2,  The  cppofition  which  the 
devil  h^«  made  to  the  Reformed  church  ;  3  Wtiat  fucccfs  there  hat 
lately  been  of  the  gofpel  in  one  place  and  another  ;  4  What  the 
flate  of  things  is  now  ia  the  wo.ld  with  regard  to  the  church  o£ 
Chrift,  and  the  fuccefi  of  hii  puchaf^. 

I.  Here  thefift  thing  lobe  taken  notice  of  is  the  Reformation. 
Thi«  was  begun  about  220  years  ago  :  fifl  in  Saxony  in  G-imany, 
by  the  preaching  of  Martin  Luther,  who,  being  ftirred  in  his  fpir- 
it,  to  fee  the  horrid  practices  of  the  Pvpifti  clergy,  and  having  fet 
hfmfelf  diligently  to  inquire  after  truth,  by  the  rtudy  of  the  holy 
fcriptures,  and  the  wiitings  of  the  ancient  fathers  of  the  church, 
Tcry  openly  and  boldly  decried  the  corruptions  and  ufuipatiocs  of 
the  Romiih  church  in  his  preaching  and  writings,  and  had  fuona 
great  number  that  fell  in  with  him  ;  among  whom  was  the  Eledor 
of  Saxony, the  fovcreign  prince  of  the  country  to  vyhich  he  belong- 
ed. This  greatly  alarmed  the  church  of  Rome  ;  and  it  did  as  it 
were  rally  all  its  foree  to  oppofe  him  and  his  doctrine,  and  fierce 
wars  and  perfecutions  were  raifed  against  it :  but  yet  it  went  on 
by  the  labours  of  Luther,  and  Melandbon  inGermany,  and  Zuing* 
lius  in  Switzeilaad^and  other  eminent  divines,  who  werecotexpo* 
rary  wiih  Luther,  and  fell  ia  with  him  ;  and  particularly  Calvin, 
who  appeared  fomething  after  the  beginning  of  the  Reformation, 
but  was  orK  of  the  mo/i  eminent  Reformers. 

Many  of  the  princes  of  Germany  foon  fell  in  with  the  Reformed 
religion,  and  many  other  if  itcs  and  kingdoms  in  Europe,  as  Scot- 
land,  Sweden,  D:nmark,  Norway,  great  part  of  France,  Poland, 
Lithuania,  Switzerland  and  the  Low  Countries.  So  that  \^  \% 
thought,  that  heretofore  about  half  Chriftcndom  were  of  theProtcf- 
tant  religion  ;  though,  fince,  the  Papif^s  have  gained  ground  ;  fo 
4«t  the  PrQUflaoti  now  h«ve  not  fo  egreat  a  proporticDb 

Thui 


tfa«  Work  of   R  E  0  E  M  P  T I  O  N.  %i% 

Th««  Godbcj5«n  glorioufly  to  revive  bis  church  zgain,  and  ad- 
vance the  kingdom  of  hit  Son.afier  fuch  a  difm^l  nighi  of  daikncf* 
j|»  had  been  before  froia  ihc  rUt:  of  Anlicbrift  lo  thai  liajc  There 
.  bad  been  many  cnic^ivourfl  uf«i  by  the  ^riincfics  for  ihe  truth  tor 
I  reformat  01  before.  But  now,  when  God  »  sppointcd  time  wa^ 
«ojnc.  hii  work  was  begun,  and  went  on  with  a  f^^'ifi  «nd  wonder- 
ful progrcfi ;  in  1  Aatichrift,  who  had  been  lifing  higher  anri  higher 
from  hi«  very  firlt  beginning  till  that  time,  w^a  fwifily  and  fuddcn* 
ly  brought  down,  and  fell  half  way  towards  uacr  ruin,  and  ncvef 
bai  been  able  to  rife  ag*sii  to  his  former  height.  A  certain  very 
late  eipofito^  (Mr.  LcTrman)  whoenplaio  the  five  fi-0  vials  tn 
the  i6.K  chapter  of  Revelation,  with  greater  pr  bsbility  pcrh^pt 
Ihan  any  who  went  be/ore  hita,  enpUins  the  fi^rh  vial,  which  wai 
|>^uredout  oa  the  feat  of  the  beaft,  of  what  came  to  paf«  in  tht 
Keformalion  ;  ©apbinstg  the  foyr  prrccding  viali  of  certain  greit 
Judgements  C^d  brought  on  the  ^.>pi(h  dominions  before  the  Re« 
formation..  It  is  fa  id,  R  v,  xvi.  lo.  that  "  the  fifth  ange!  pour* 
%i  out  hit  vinl  on  the  fe^t  of  the  beafl  j'*  in  the  original,  it  it  th§ 
ikronf  c/tke  htafi  \  •*  and  hit  kingdom  i^as  full  of  darkneft,  aaj 
they  gnawed  their  tongues  forptin,  and  biarphcmed  the  God  of 
Eeavcn  becaufe  o?  their  patas  and  their  fores,  and  repented  not  of 
their  deeds."  He  poured  outbii  vial  upon  the  ihroce  of  the  beafj, 
J.  e.  on  the  authority  aiid  dominion  of  the  Pope:  fo  rbe  wordi 
ikrom  is  often  ufed  in  fcrlprure  ;  fo  I  Ringj  i.  37,  «•  As  the  Lord 
hath  been  vrith  my  lord  the  king,  even  fo  be  he  with  Solomon, 
and  make  his  throne  greater  than  the  throne  of  my  lord  Kir?  Da- 
vid ;"  i.  e.  m5ke  his  dominion  and  authority  greater,  and  his  king- 
dom more  glorious.        * 

But  now,  in  the  Reformation,  ihe  vlalt  of  God'i  wrath  werd 
poured  out  ow  the  throne  of  the  beaf^.  His  throne  was  terriWa 
f^aken  and  dimini&ed.  The  Popc'a  amhority  and  doir  Jnion  was 
greatly  dimini<hed,  both  at  to  the  extent  arid  S^ptt^  He  \o9^,  as 
was  faid  before,  about  half  his  dominions.  Btfidei,  fince  thr  Kc- 
iforination,  the  Pope  has  loil  great  part  of  that  authority,  even  it) 
ihe  Popifli  dominions,  which  he  had  before.  He  is  not  regarded, 
ind  kii  power  ii  dreaded  in  no  meafure  aa  it  wa«  wont  to  be,  Tb« 
powers  of  Europe  have  learned  not  to  put  their  necks  under  the 
Pope's  feet,  as  formerly  they  were  wont  to  do.  So  that  he  U  a§ 
a  lion  that  has  \o(k.  hil  teeth,  in  comparifon  of  what|k  waj  once. 

When  the  Pope  and  his  clergy,  enraged  to  fee  their  su'.horiiy  Jq 
tiiminiflied  at  the  J^eformalion,  laid  their  heads  tcp'ether,  and 
joined  their  forfcci  to  dcflroy  the  Reformation  ;  their  policy,  which 
was  wont  to  fervc  them  fo  well,  failed;  and  they  fowjd  ibcir 
kinedom  full  of  darknefi,  fo  that  they  could  do  rorhrrg  any 
lAore  than  ibc  figyptiast,  w^  rofe  not  froa  their  fcati  for  thrett 

ft  •  «}a^9» 


"4  AHlSTORiro! 

dayi.  The  Reformed  church  was  defended  as  Lot  and  the  angeh 
Ircrc  in  Sodoro,  by  fmiting  the  Sododiitei  with  darknefs  or  blind- 
ntfs,  fhat  ibcy  couM  not  fiod  the  door,  God  then  fuitilled 
that  in  Job  V.  ii.  6c-.  *'  To  fct  up  on  high  thofe  that  be 
low  J  th;it  thofc  which  mourn  may  be  exalted  to  fafcty  H« 
difappointftS  ?hc  dcvcci  o£  the  crafty,  fo  thai  their  handi  cannoi 
perforcQ  zbc^t  enterprife.  He  taketh  the  wife  in  their  own  craiti- 
ncfs :  and  thecounfel  of  the  froward  ii  carried  headlong.  They 
meet  with  :5arkncf«  in  the  day- time,  and  grope  in  the  noon-day 
as  in  the  nigbt.  But  he  f^rcth  the  poor  from  the  fword^  fjoai 
*be;r  mouth,  and  from  the  hand  of   the  migaty/' 

Thofc  pro»jd  CDcmlci  of  Gjd's  people  being  fo  difappolfited,  anr! 
find;  gthcmfelvei  fo  unable  to  uphold  their  own  dominion  and 
authority,  this  nraade  them  as  it  were  to  gnaw  their  tonguci  fof 
pain^  or  biiic  their  tonguei  for  mere  rsge. 

•  2  I  proce«?d  thcrciore  to  ihow  what  oppofition  hat  been  made 
tothls  fu-r-fs  of  Chrift'i  purcfcafc  by  the  Rrformation  by  Satan 
«n.d  hi*  adherents  5  obfervlog,  as  we  go  along,  how  far  they  have 
been  b;*ffled,  and  bow  far  they  ha7e  besn  fucccfsful. 

The  oppofition  which  Satan  has  made  againft  the  Reformed  rc=« 
ligion  has  been  principally  of  the  foHowing  kinds,  viz.  that  which 
was  made,  i .  by-*  general  council  of  th<i  church  ot  Rome ;  2  by  fecret 
plots  and  devices ;  ?.  by  opan  w%r»  and  iovafoni ;  4  by  cruel  op- 
prcHTion  and  pe>fecut:on  ;  aad,  5   by  bfingiog  in  corrupt  opinions. 

(1)  The  ft. ft  oppofiticn  that  1  fhall  take  noiicecf  is  that  which 
was  made  by  the  ctergy  of  the  church  of  Koasc  uaidng  together  ia 
a  general  council.  This  was  the  famous  council  of  Trent,  Which 
the  Pope  calkd  i  Vmh  while  after  the  Reformation.  In  that  coua- 
cil,  thcr«  met  together  iix  cardinals,  thirty- two  afohbiftiopi,  tw^j 
hundred  and  twenty -eigh:  biibops,  biJides  innumerable  others  of 
the  Romifti  clergy.  This  council,  in  all  iheir  llttiiig?,  including 
the  time*  of  intermiflion  between  their  lutings,  was  h/cld  for  iwensy 
five  years  together.  Their  in»in  bufinefs  all  this  while  was  to  con- 
cert mcafures  ioreftablifhing  the  church  of  Rome  againA  the  Re- 
formers, and  for  deftroying  the  Reformation.  Bjt  it  proved  that 
they  were  not  able  to  perform  their  citerpriae.  The ,  Reformed 
church, notwifhfianding  their  holding  fo  great  a  council,  and  for  fj 
Jong  a  time  together  againfl  it  remained,  and  remains  ftill.  S^ 
that  the  couuilbl  of  the  froward  iifcarried  headlong,  and  their  king, 
dom  is  full  of  darknefs,  and  ihey  weary  themfelvcs  to  find  the  door. 

Thu«  the  church  of  Rome,  inftead  of  repenting  of  thei*-  deeds, 
when  fuch  rbar  light  was  held  forth  to  them  by  Luther  and  other 
fcrvant*  of  God,  the  Reformers,  does,  by  general  agreement  ixi 
council,  pe>iiA  in  their  vslc  corruptions  and  wickcdacfs,  and  ©b- 
dinate  oppoBtion  to  the  kingdom  of  Chriit.    Ihs    dc^lrines  aa 

pxa^icca 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTipN.  J2j 

f)r&£^icci  of  the  church  of  Rome,  which  wete  chiefly  condcoined 
by  ifcc  Kcfoiaisd,  were  co»tirmcd  by  the  dccces  ot  iLcir  council  } 
^nd  t\\t  cjrruptions,  in  oisny  rcipe(^b,  yrcic  c:.rried  h  gher  than 
Cv^r  b'.forc  ;  and  they  uttered  bUfphemous  reproaches  and  curfe* 
again fl  :he  Reformed  religion,  and  all  the  Keform«d  church  wat 
cxcommunicHtcd  and  aQ^thematized  by  them  ;  and  io,  according 
Co  the  prophcfy,  "  ihey  bhfphcme:!  God."  Thui  God  hatdeati 
ibeir  hearts,  intending  to  dcAroy  ihem, 

(2)  The  Pipift*  have  often  endeavoured  to  overthrow  the  Re- 
formation by  fecret  plot)  and  confpir^icies.  So  there  were  many 
plot!  againA  the  life  of  Luther.  Ti^^  Papifti  v*tre  ent^^gcd  iv,  con- 
triving to  difp^td)  hiqi,  and  to  put  him  out  of  their  w^y  ;  md  he, 
^s  he  vrii  a  very  bold  man,  often  very  much  expofcd  hi ^nfe^f  in^he 
^aufc  of  Ghrift:  but  yet  ihcy  were  wonderfully  prevented  fvoa-;  hurt- 
ing him,  and  he  at  lafl  died  in  hi$  &«d  iu  peace.  And  fo  there  hav^ 
been  frotn  time  to  tine  innumerable  fchemei  fccrctly  laid  for  ^be 
pverthrow  of  the  Proteflant  religion  ;  •  aaong  which,  that  whicl^ 
feem  to  be  moA  confiderable,  and  which  feeircd  to  be  the  Tt\c('  likely 
to  have  taken  cffetfl,  was  that  which  wss  in  the  ticceof  KingJ:^mei 
II,  of  EngUndj  which  is  within  the  memory  of  many  of  us.  Thrre 
wa%at  that  time  a  /Irong  confpiiiacy  between  the  King  of  E'^^Iand 
atid  Lewis  XIV.  of  France,  who  were  both  Paj)ifts,  to  extirpate  th« 
Noitbero  hcrefy,  as  ibey  called  the  Proicrtant  religion,  not  only 
out  of  England,  but  out  of  all  Europe  ;  and  had  laid  their  fchemei 
fo,that  they  feeaed  to  be  almof^  furc  of  their  purpcfe,  Tlicy  'ook° 
^d  upon  it,  that  if  the  Reformed  religion  were  fu^jpreiTed  in  the 
Britiik  realms,  and  in  the  Netherlands,  which  were  the  ftrongcft 
part,  and  chief  defence  of  the  Prcteftanl  inteicfr,  they  i^ould  have 
eafy  work  with  the  reft.  And  jufl  as  their  m  itiefs  leemed  to  become 
to  a  head,  and  their  enterprife  ripe  for  execution,  Gd.  in  his  pro^ 
vidence,  fuddenly  daihed  all  their  fchems  in  pieces  by  the  Revolu- 
tion, at  the  coming  in  of  King  William  and  Queen  Maty  ;  by  which 
aU  their  deigns  were  at  an  end;  and  the  ProteAant  ioitrc^  was 
more  ftrongly  eftablifiied,  by  the  crown  of  lingland's  bcirg  efta- 
bliOied  in  the  Proteftant  houfc  of  Hanover,  and  a  PapiO  bring,  by 
the  eonftitution  of  the  nation,  for  ever  rendered  ^nc^p^bJr  cf  wear- 
ing the  crown  of  England.  Thus  they  groped  in  da'knefi  at  ttoon 
day  as  in  the  night,  and  their  hsinds  could  not  perform  their  enter- 
prife, and  their  kingdom  was  full  of  darkacfs,  and.  they  gnawed 
their  tongues  for  pain. 

After  this,  thers  was  a  deep  deiign  laid  to  bring  the  fame  thing  to 
pafs  in  the  latter  end  of  Q^eeo  Anne's  reign,  by  the  bringing  in  of 
the  Popiih  pretender ;  which  was  no  lefs  fuddenly  and  ictiUy  baf- 
fled by  divine  Providence  ;  as  the  plots  agtiaft  the  Reformatiow.p 
bf  bringing  in  the  pr«:eader«  have  besn  froos  time  to  time. 

(3)  Tlw 


•44  A  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

(j)  The  ReformatioQ  has  offcn  been  oppofcdby  op«n  waM  sn4 
invafions.  So  in  !he  beginning  of  the  Tclonttmion,  ite  Em'peioi  ol 
Gciqiany,  Jo  fupv^efs  the  Rcto-mation,  declared  war  with  ihtDake, 
of  S.jKowy,  and  ihc  p  incipal  jn«n  wUo  tavaurcl  and  received  Lu^ 
thei't  doctrine.  Uiiihcy  couid  ret  obtain  ibclr  end  ;  ihry  cudld 
not  fupprefi  the  li^  oiaaation.  For  the  f-mr  end,  the  Kng  ol 
Spain  dQiiintaiticd  a  long  war  with  Holland  and  the  Low  Countriel 
in  ihc  entury  bcfo  c  l^A.  B  .1  thol'c  crUcl  wars  Kfucd  greatly  lo  th* 
difidv.nt'ige  uf  iht  Rjm.fh  church,  as  iticy  oceafioncd  the  fuiing 
up  of  one  of  the  csjft  povic  ful  Proieftanl  Aaics  in  Europe,  which* 
next  to  G  cat  Brkianj  U  she  chief  barrier  of  iht  Froiel'^ant  teiigioo« 
And  the  citfign  o^  the  Spanifb  snv  Jion  cf  England  in  Queen  E!if,4« 
IsetbVti.iic,  wa«  to  fupprefa  and  root  cut  the  Kc^oroDcd  religion  i 
and  there  lore  i'hty  brought  in  their  fleet  ail  maniier  of  inftrucncnito* 
Cruelty  whcrcwuhio  tpriu  e  tbi  Proteftants  who  would  rot  renounce 
the  F*.  tert^int  religion.  But  their  defign«  wcrfi  totally  biJflcd,  and 
their  tnghiy  fuct  in  a  great  tneafure  ruined.     '  ' 

(4)  Siian  has  oppofed  the  Reformation  with  crue!  pcy-fcculiont. 
Thcpcrfscutione  with  which  the  Proicftants  in  one  kingdocn  and 
another  have  been  pcrfecuted  by  the  chuch  of  Ri>mc,  have  in  many 
irefpctle  been  fix  beyond  sny  of  the  Heathen  pcrfccution*  wiich 
iirerc  before  Conftantine  ihc  Great,  and  beyond  all  that  ever  wert 
before,  i?oth»J  Antichrift  has  proved  the  grcaieft  and  cruelcift  e* 
licaay  to  the  church  ofChnft  that  ever  was  in  the  world,  in  this,  a« 
Well  as  m  all  other  rcfpcd*  ;  agrrcablc  to  the  Jefcrlption  given  o^ 
the  church  of  Rome;,  Rev.  xvii.  6.  **  And  I  f^w  a  woman  drunk- 
en  with  the  blood  of  faints,  aind  with  the  blood  of  tfce  martyrs  of 
Jcfus/*  And,  chap,  xviii.  24.  "  And  on  her  was  found  the  blood 
of  prophets,  and  of  faints,  and  sU  of  tbcm  cbaS  were  flain  upoa 
Che  earth." 

The  Heathen  perfecutlons  bad  been  very  dreadful  :  but  nov 
perfecution  by  ilit  church  of  Roonc  was  inDprovfd  andf^udicd,  and 
©uliivatei.'is  aa'art  or  fciencc/  Such  ways  of  afHiifing  and  torsaen- 
jing  were  found  out,  as  are  beyond  the  thought  aid  invention  ol 
oromkry  men,  or  <nen  who  arc  unftudied  in  ihofe  thing*,  and  be- 
yond the  invention  of  all  former  ages.  That  perfecution  oisgh^l 
tc  managed  tf^e  more  cfrcdually,  there  were  certain  focieties  o^ 
toen  eftabl'Gied  in  varioiii  pans  of  the  Popiflo  dominions,  whofc 
buOneftit  (abuld  be  to  fVudy,  and  improve,  and  praftife  perfccuti- 
on  in  it<  highe(^  perfcdion;  which  are'  thofc  focieties  called  iks 
courtt  cf  in^ui/itioM.  A  reading  t>T  the  particular  biftorics  of  the 
E  n  ^  pctfecuiion,  and  their  courts  of  inquifiiion,  will  give  thas 
idt»  which  a  few  words  cannot  cxprefs.        • 

Waen  the  Reformation  began ,  the  beaft  with  fcven  heads  aad 
^  hWQt  Ugsii  ta  rage  m  a.  dregful  8Ba&&£?a    After  the  Rcforma!^/ 


the  Work  of    REDEMPTION.  2*7 

•n,  the  church  of  fiomc  rentwci  ui  perfccuuon  of  the  poor  Wal- 
dc<<fcs  and  grcit  ma.tiiuJcs  of  .hem  were  cruelly  torlu.ed^nd  pMt 
I  .  otath  Sojii  'after  the  Reformat  ion,  thoc  were  icrriblc  pcrfccuti* 
ioni  in  v.^riou*  pans  oi'r'.iin^ny  ;  mO  cfpccially  'n  Bohemia,  which 
laft*  d  tor  ihiriy  ye  rs  tcgctbcr  j  in  wnich  fomuch  biooo  «ra»  (hed 
for  tht  f^kc  of  religion,  ih^l  a  certain  wriicr  ccmparts  it  to  the 
pi  n  y  of  watffs  o'  ihc  g'cit  rivo  of  G«  rmany.  Toe  counirici  of 
PjI  ml  L(i^-u<ii^,  and  Hupgary,  were  in  like  thaancr  deluged 
With  P/o^eftani  blood. 

By  mens  of  the  fc  and  other  erac\  peTfeculioni,  the  Proteftant 
Re  i^ion  Wat  in  a  great  mcafure  fuppscifcd  in  BobOtnia,  and  ihc 
PJaiinati,  ^nd  H^^giry,  which  before  were  ai  it  were  Protcftunt 
tountriM.  T^us  w*s  'ulfilled  what  was  foretold  of  ihc  iiitic  hump 
D^n.  vii.  20  21  **  —  .nd  of  the  ten  horni  that  were  in  his  bead, 
and  of  the  other  which  came  up,  and  before  whoio  three  fcH,  tvcn 
rvf  ti\a:  horn  that  had  eyes,  and  a  mouth  that  fpake  very  great 
Shings,  whofe  look  was  more  flout  than  hi*  fellowi.  I  beheld,  antl 
»ud  the  f^me  horn  made  war  with  the  faints,  and  prevailed  againil 
Ihem."  And  what  was  foretold  of  the  beaft  having  fcvca  heads 
ind  ten  horns,  Rev.  riii.  7.  And  it  was  given  unto  him  to  make 
war  wjjb  the  fiinis,  and  to  overcome  them  :  and  power  was  given 
M:3  ever  all  kindreds,  and  tongyes,  and  nations."  Alfo  Hol- 
land and  the  other  Low  Countries  were  for  many  years  a  fcene  of 
nothing  but  the  molt  aif^d^ing  and  amazing  cruchici,  being  delu- 
ged with  the  blooJ  of  Protet^ants,  under  the  mercilefs  hands  of  the 
Spaniards,  to  whom  they  were  then  in  fubj  £lion.  But  in  thit 
pcrfccution,  thtdevilin  a  great  m^  afure  failed  of  his  purpofe  ;  ai 
it  iffucd  in  a  {rreat  part  of  the  Netherlands  caAing  cf(  the  Spanilb 
yoke,  and  fettingupa  v»e*)thy  and  powerful  Proteftant  ftate,  to 
ihe  great  defence  of  the  proteftant  caufe  ever  fmcc. 

Prance  alfo  is  another  country,  which,  fmce  the  Reformation, 
in  fomc  refpcc^s,  perhaps  more  than  any  other,  has  been  a  fccnc 
of  dreadful  cruelties  fuffcrcd  by  the  Protcftants  there.  After  many 
cruelties 'had  btcn  cxrrcifed  towards  the  Protcftanti  in  that  king- 
dom, there  waj  btg'in  a  pcrfccution  of  them  in  the  year  1571,  io 
Khe  rc7gn  of  Cbafle*  IX  K'ng  of  France.  It  began  with  a  crud 
maffacr*.  whfrcin  70.006  Proteftant*  were  ilain  in  a  few  dayi 
time,  at  the  K  ng  bo^ftcd  :  and  in  all  this  pcrfccution,  be  flew,  a* 
isfuppofcd,  300000  m^ryis.  It  h  reckoned,  that  about  ihii 
time,  within  thirty  years,  there  were  martyred  in  this  kingdom, 
for  theProtcr^antreJigion,  39  princes,  148  counts,  s 34  barons, 
147,51^  gentlemen,  and  760.000  of  the  common  people. 
"  Uax  all  thefe  perfecutfoas  were, for  exqOiliic  cruelty,  tar  cxceedj> 
ed  by  thofc  which  followed  fn  the  rcigo  of  Lewis  X'V.  wfaicb 
iaii:«i  lie  fuppo&d  to  ezc-rcd  &H  oiheri  that  ever  have  bcea  }  acd 

being 


m^  A      H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   of 

being  long  conlin»Jcd,  by  reafon  of  the  long  reign  of  that  Kiri^i 
almoft  wholly  extirpated  rhc  Protcftant  religion  out  of  thst  kfrg- 
dom,  where  had  been  betorc  a  multitude  of  laaaous  Protcftant 
cfeujxhcs  all  over  the  kingdom,  Thw  it  wa«  givcu  to  the  bcall  to 
make  war  with  tbc  fainU,  and  to  ovCiComc  thcoa. 

There  wai  tlfo  a  terrible  perfecution  ioEng'iind  inQucen  Mary'i 
time,  wherein  ^great  nuoibcrjin  all  parts  of  the  kiagdoao  were 
burot  alive.  A/ier  thii,  though  the  Protcftant  religion  ha&bccn 
for  the  moft  part  crtsblifiied  by  law  in  Englaad,  yet  there  have 
been  very  fevere  pcrfeciitioni  by  the  high  ctiurcb  men,  who  fymbo- 
lizc  in  many  thingi  with  ihp  P.^piAs.  Such  a  perfecution  waJ 
ihat  which  occafioned  our  forefathers  to  flee  from  their  native  coun- 
try, and  tocojueaad  fctlSc  in  this  hqd,  which  wai  then  anhidcoa? 
bowling  wildcrncfs.  Thefc  perfccutions  were  continued  with 
little  ifitcrroiffion  tiii  King  Wiliiam  caine  to  the  throne* 

ScotUnd  air>  hasbeen  ihc  fcenc,  for  many  ycart  together,  of 
crueltlci  and  tlocd  by  the  hands  of  high -churchmen,  fucb  as  came 
very  little  fhort  of  the  Popilli  perfecution  in  Quten  M^<"y'*  ^^y*o 
dnd  in  mat  y  things  much  exceed  it,  vrbioh  coatipusd  tiii  they 
were  delivered  by  Kiog  Wflliasri. 

Ireland  alfo  Has  been  as  it  were  oycrwheltDed  with  Proteftant 
blood  In  the  days  of  King  Charles  1  of  England,  above  2oo,oo» 
Pfoteftants  were  cruelly  murdered  in  that  kingdot?i  in  a  few  days  ; 
the  Papif^s,  by  a  fecret  agreement,  ri6ng  all  over  the  kingdooi  a{ 
an  apppointcd  tioae,  intending  to  j^ill  every  PfoteftaoC  in  the 
kingdom  at  once. 

Befidck  thefc,  there  have  been  very  cruel  perfccutions  in  Italy. 
snd  Spain,  and  other  places,  which  I  (hall  oot  ftaad  to  relate. 

Thus  did  the  devil,  and  his  great  miniAer  Antichrli^,  rage  witb 
fufh  violence  ant^  cruelty  agsinft  the  church  of  Chrift  I  and  thm 
did  the  whore  of  Eabyloo  make  herfelf  drunlc  with  the  blood  of  the 
faints  and  martyrs  of  Jefus  i  and  thus,  by  thefe  perfecutions,  the 
Proteftant  church  has  be«n  much  diminifted  !  Yet  with  all  hav^ 
they  not  bern  able  to  prevail ;  but  ft  ill  the  Proteftant' church  is 
upheld,  and  Ghrift  fulfils  his  promife,  tha^  "  the  gates  of  hell  iLall 
not  prevail  againft   his  church." 

(5)  The  laft  kind  of  oppofition  that  Satan  has  made  to  the  Refor- 
niation  is  by  corrupt  opinions.  Satan  has  oppofed  the  light  of  the 
gofpel  which  ftionc  forth  in  the  Reformatiorj  with  many  corrupt 
opinions,  which  he  has  brought  in  and  propagated  in  the  world. 

Here,inthcfirftpIace,tbefirftoppDrtion  of  thiskindwasbyraiiing 
up  the  fca  of  the  Anabapiirfi,which  began  about  four  or  five  yeaiji 
after  the  Reformation  itfelf  began.  This  fedl,a8  it  firft  appeared  in 
Germany, were  v.ifily  more  extravagant  ihsfl  theprefentAnsbaptiftsj 
97t  i&Epgland,  They  teld  s  great  many  ecceediog  corrupt  pp'nioni. 

Otte 


jhc  \Vork  of  R  E  D  £  M  P  T  I  O  H.  «»9 

One  tenet  of  thein  wsf ,  That  tbtre  ought  to  be  no  civil  authority, 
and  fo  that  ft  w^s  lawful  to  rebel  againft  civil  authority.  On  tbit 
principle,  they  refuted  to  fiibfliit  to  magiftratc*,  or  any  buoaaa 
laws  ;  and  gathered  together  in  vafl  aroaics,  to  defend  tbemfeWeft 
again^  their  civil  rulers ;  and  put  ail  Germany  into  an  uproir, 
and  fo  kept  it  for  fomc  time. 

Tbc  nett  oppoPtion  of  tbit  kind  to  the  Reformation  was  that 
which  was  made  by  enthuf;ails>  Thofe  arc  called  entbufiaAi  who 
falfely  pretend  to  be  lafpired  by  the  Holy  Ghoft  al  the  prophets  were. 
Thefe  began  in  Germany  about  ten  year»  after  Luther  began  the 
Reformation  ;  and  there  arofc  various  fc£ls  of  them  who  were 
exceeding  wild  and  cstravsgant.  The  followers  of  thefe  are  the 
Quakers  in  England,  and  other  parts  of  the  Brltafh  dominions. 

The  next  to  thefe  were  the  Sotinians,  who  had  their  beginnin|» 
chiefly  in  Poland,  by  the  teaching  of  two  men  ;  the  name  of  the 
one  was  Lceliut  Sccinus,  of  the  ether,  fauftui  Sccinus,  They  heldj, 
that  Chrift  was  a  mere  man,  and  denied  Chrifl's  fatisfadiion,  and 
mo(t  of  the  fundamental  do£\tines  of  the  ChrlAian  religion*  Their 
herefy  has  fiiice  been  greatly  propagated  among  Prote/lanu  la 
Poland,  Germany,   Holland,  England,  and  other  placet. 

After  thefe  arofe  the  Arminians.  Thefe  iiri^  appeared  iaHollan4 
about  1^6  ycais  ago.  They  take  their  came  from  a  Dutchman^ 
whofe  name  was  Jacobut  Van  HarmiHt  wtich,  turned  into  Latin* 
b  called  jacobutArmiaiut  ;  and  from  his  name  the  whole  fc6l  are 
called  Arminiant,  This  Jacobus  Arminius  was  firfl  a  miniAer  at 
Am(\erdam,  and  then  a  profeffor  of  divinity  in  the  univer/ity  of 
Lcyden.  He  had  many  followers  in  Holland.  There  was  upon 
this  a  fynod  of  all  theRtio:mcd  churches  cnlled  together,  who  met 
at  Oort  in  Hc^iand.  The  fynod  of  Dort  condemned  them  ;  but 
yet  they  fprcsd  and  prevailed*  They  began  to  prevail  in  England 
in  the  reign  of  Cbailes  t.  cfpectally  in  the  church  of  England.  The 
church  of  England  divir4eft  bc'orc  that  wefe  almoA  univerfally 
Ca!vioiAi:1}ut  fince  th?t,A:miaiaii!fm  has  gradually  more  and  more 
prevailed,  till  they  iire  become  a'.injft  univerfally  Arminians.  And 
not  only  fo,  but  Arcninianif'n  has  greatly  prevailed  among  the 
DiflcPiters,  and  hat  fprtad  g-£:<l>  inNew  Koghnd,  as  vrell  as  Old. 

Since  tbi«,  Arianifm  has  revivfd.  As  I  told  you  before,  Ari- 
anifm,  a  little  after  Conftantine'«  time,  almoi)  fwallowed  up  the 
Cfariftian  wo'ld,  like  a  fluod  owt  of  the  mouth  of  the  ferpent  whicfi 
threatened  to  fwallow  up  the  womaD.  And  of  late  years, this  here- 
fy has  been  revived  in  England,  and  preaily  prevails  there,  both 
in  the  church  of  Englano,  and  among  D-ffeoters.  Thefe  boId,that 
Chrifl  is  but  a  mere  creature,  though  they  grant  that  be  is  the 
jrcateft  of  all  creatures. 

Again,  another  ihin^  wiiicb  has  of  late  erccedingly  prevailed 

among 


tf  A    H  I  S  T    0  R  T  ot 

tmong  Proteftanti,  ^rx^  crpeci^lly  to  England,  ii  Dciftir*  Tfea 
Dcifta  wholly  caft  off  the  L.hiiftian  religion,  and  arc  profeficd 
iD^Jels  They  arc  no»  like  the  heretics,  Artans  Sociniani,  and 
othtri ,  who  own  the  fcripture  to  be  the  word  of  God  and  Kold  e*^  e 
ChriAian  religion  to  be  the  true  religion,  hut  only  deny  ibcff 
and  thefe  fundamental  doftrincs  of  the  Chriftiaii  religion  :  they 
deny  the  whole  Chriftiai  religion.  Indeed  ihcy  own  tht  being  of 
God  ;  but  deny  that  Chrift  wa?  ;he  Son  o»  God,  arri  fay  he  wat  a 
»erc  cbcai;  and  fo  they  fay  all  the  prophets  and  apoftlc*  wc^et  and 
Ibey  deny  the  whole  fcripture*  They  deny  that  any  of  it  is  the 
word  of  God.  They  deny  any  revealed  religion,  or  any  word  of 
Go<i  at  all  ;  and  fay,  that  God  hai  given  onankiod  no  other  light 
to  walk  bybut  their  own  reafon.  Th«fc  fentitnents  and  opinioftt 
6ur  nation,  which  is  the  jsrincipal  nation  of  the  Reformsiion,  if 
tery  tnuch  over- run  with,  and  ihey  prtvail  more  and  more. 

Thm  touch  concerning  the  oppofition.that  Satan  h*«  made  t* 
gainft  the  Reforaaation, 

'  J»  I  proceed  now  to  (hntr  what  fuccefs  th«  go f pel  hat  more 
l«tcly  had,  or  what  fuccefs  it  hai  had  in  thefe  later  times  of  the 
Reformed  church.  This  fuccefs  m-.y  be  reduced  ?o  thefe  three  hcsds: 
1.  Reformuiion  in  do^rine  and  worfbtp  in  counries  called  Chrif* 
lian  ;  2.  Propagatibn  of  the  gofpcl  amorg  the  Heathen  ;  3.  R«* 
vival  of  religion  in  the  power  and  praftice  of  it. 

(i)  As  to  the  firft,  vh.  refoTmaHon  in  dotlrine,  the  saoft  con-^ 
£derablc  fuccefi  of  the  gofpel  that  has  been  of  late  of  this  kind,  ha^ 
been  in  the  etYipirc  of  Mufcovy,  which  is  a  country  of  vaf^  rxtent* 
The  people  otthh  country,  fo  many  of  them  a*  eal!  tbecnfelvcii 
Chriftiani ,  profefTed  to  be  of  the  Greek  church  ;  bist  were  barbar- 
oufly  ignorant,  and  very  fupcfftitioui,  ti!i  of  Iste  years.  Their 
late  Emperor  Peter  the  Great,  who  reigned  kill  within  »fee(c  twenty 
years,  fet  bioafelf  to.refoToa  the  people  o'  his  dominions,  and  took 
great  pains  to  bring  thSm  out  of  their  darknefs.  and  to  have  thetiU 
inftruded  in  religion.  A-.d  to  that  end,  he  fet  wp  fchools  of  learn- 
ing, and  ordered  the  Bible  to  be  printed  in  the  language  of  fh<5 
countfy,  and  made  a  hw  th^t  every  family  fhould  keep  the  holy 
fcripture*  in  their  boufes,  and  that  every  pei fon  fhould  be  able  to 
read  the  fame,  and  that  no  psrfon  (houM  be  allowed  to  marry  till 
they  were  able  to  reid  thi*  fcripturcs.  He  alfo  reformed  the  churcbet 
of  his  country  of  tniny  of  their  fuperrtitions,  wherrby  the  religioQ 
profcffed  and  prac^ifed  in  Mufeovy  ii  much  nearc  to  that  of  the 
Pfoteflants  than  formerly  it  ufed  to  be.  This  emperor  g  ve  greai 
encouragement  to  the  excercifc  of  the  Proiefrant  religion  in  hii  do-% 
ihinions.  And  fince  that  Mufcovy  U  become  a  land  of  light,  iq 
eptopailfon  ofwhatic  #ai  before.    Wonderful  alterationt  hsTO 

bcea 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  1  O  N,  231 

bcM  brought  c'bout  in  the  face  of  reljgioa  for  the  better  withia 
Jhtfc  fifty  years  paft. 

(2)  As  to  the  fccond  kind  of  fucccfs  which  the  gofpcl  has  !ait- 
fiy  had,  v\t  its  prop^g-tioa  among  the  Heathen,  1  wo'jid  take  no* 
licft  of  three  things. 

[i]  The  propagation  there  hat  been  of  the  gofpcl  among  t'e 
Heathen  here  in  Aancfica.  Th'a  American  comment  on  which  ^g 
live,  which  ii  a  vc/y  greai  pirt  o^  the  world,  and,  together  with 
iits  neighbouring  fcs»  adjoin  ng,  takes  up  one  Ode  of  <he  globe,  was 
wholly  unknown  to  all  Chriftian  nations  till  ihcfc  Uacr  times. 
It  was  not  known  that  there  was  any  fuch  p^rt  of  the  wotld,thoL:gh 
it  was  very  full  of  people  :  and  therefore  here  the  devil  had  ihc 
people  that  inhabited  this  part  of  the  world  ai  it  were  fecurc  to  him- 
fclf,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  light  of  the  gofp*;!,  and  fo  out  of  tha 
way  of  molcftation  in  his  dominion  over  them.  And  here  the 
many  nations  of  Indians  worlhipped  him  an  God  from  zge  toagCj, 
while  the  gofpel  was  confined  to  the  oppofite  fide  of  the  globe.  It 
is  a  thing  which,  ifl  remember  right,  I  have  fomc  where  fit  of, at 
probably  fuppofcd  from  fome  remaining  accounts  of  thingi,  thag 
occafioned  the  pccpleing  of  America  was  this,  th;jt  the  devil  beit^g 
alarmed  and  furprifed  by  the  wonderful  fucccfs  o^  the  gofpel  whicli 
Bhcrc  was  the  tirft  three  hundred  years  after  Chrif^,  and  by  the 
downfal  of  the  Heathen  cmpiie  in  the  time  of  Conftannnr  ;  and 
feeing  th«  gofpel  fpread  fo  faO,  and  fearing  his  Heatbcnilh  king- 
dom wouH  be  wholly  overthrown  through  the  world,  led  away  « 
people  fro-n  the  other  continent  into  America,  that  they  might  fe 
quite  out  oUhc  reach  of  the  gofpel,  that  here  he  might  quietly 
pofTcfs  them,  aod  reign  over  them  as  their  god.  It  is  what  many 
writers  give  an  account  of,  that  fome  of  the  nations  of  Indisn?^ 
when  theEuropealisfirrt  came  into  America,  had  a  tradition  among 
them,  chat  their  god  fi.  ft  led  them  intothii  cootzoent,  and  vrens 
before  them  in  an  ark. 

Whether  this  was  foor  not,  yet  it  is  certain  that  the  devil  ditf 
fcere  quietly  enjoy  his  dominion  over  the  poor  nations  of  Indiant 
lor  many  ages.  Bur  in  later  times  God  has  fent  the  gofpel  into 
thefe  parts  of  the  world,  and  now  theChriftian  church  is  fei  up  here 
in  New  Engia  d,  and  in  other  parts  of  America,  whtr  bffore  had 
been  notbrng  but  the  groflfeft  Heathen iili  darknefs.  Great  part  of 
America  h  now  full  of  Bibles,  and  full  o^  at  leaf^  the  form  of  the 
ivorihip  of  the  true  God  and  Jefu»  Chrift,  where  the  name  oiChrift 
before  had  not  been  heard  of  for  m  <ny  ages,  if  at  all.  And  tho* 
«here  has  been  bnt  a  fmall  propagation  nf  the  gofpH  among  the 
Heathen  hers,  in  comparifon  of  what  were  to  be  wifhed  for  ;  yet 
there  has  been  fomrthinp  worthy  to  be  t^kcn  notice  of.  There  was 
ibxeshi^^g  £«Biarkab2c  In  the  firft  tii^ei  pf  New  £o^laad|and  fomcr. 


232  AHlSTORYo! 

thitjjz  rcnoark^We  ha»  appeared  of  Uic  here,  and  in  other  parb  o£ 
AmeriCdk  ^mong  nmny  Indians,  of  an  iaciination  to  be  inftruttcd 
iu  ib^i  ChiifUan  religion 

Ho^rcvci  fmal!  the  propagation  of  the  gofpel  among  the  Mea* 
thei  bcrc  in  Aoicrica  has  been  hi.hcj  to,  yet  I  think  we  may  well 
look  upon  the  liiCovrry  of  fo  grcit  apart  of  the  world  a»  America^ 
an'l  biingiag  the  g->fpc.  into  it,  a*  oae  th  ng  by  which  divine  pro* 
vidence  «i  preparing  the  way  for  trie  future  glorious  tiines  of  the 
church  5  when  Sijao'i  kingdom  ihail  be  ovcfthrown,  not  only 
thro'ighoui  iheRuoaao  empire,  bui  throughout  the  whole  habitable 
gt^be  on  every  Tide,  and  ot  all  its  con  cinema.  When  thofc  times 
come,  then  ooubtiefs  the  gofpel,  which  is  abcady  brousvht  over  in- 
io  A^nerica,  (ball  have  glorious  fucceft,  ard  all  the  inhabitants  of 
this  ncw-difcoveicd  world  (hA\  become  iubjefit  of  the  kingdom  of 
Chftfl,  a«  wcfl  as  all  the  other  ends  of  the  earth  :  and  in  all  proba- 
bility providence  has  fo  ordered  it,  that  the  mariner"!  compafs, 
which  was  an  invention  of  later  times,  whereby  men  arc  enabled  to 
fail  over  the  wtdeft  ocean^  when  before  they  durft  not  venture  far 
from  land  j  (houH  prove  a  preparation  for  w^at  God  intend*  to 
bring  to  pafs  in  f^c  g*oriou»  ilrm  of  the  church,  viz  the  fending 
fo  th  the  gofpel  wherc-evcr  any  o?  the  children  of  men  dwe!l,how 
far  focver  off,  and  however  fcparated  by  wide  oce%ni  froa  thofc 
^arts  of  the  world  which  are  already  ChriAianized* 

[2]  There  has  of  late  years  been  a  very  confiderable  pj-opagatioa 
of  the  gofpel  among  the  Heathen  in  the  dominions  of  Mufcovy» 
1  hivc  already  ai3fe'ved  the  reform-idon  which  there  has  lately 
fceer.  among  ihofe  who  are  called  Ckriftidns  iherc  :  but  i  noir 
fpcik  of  the  H<?*rhen.  Great  part  of  the  vaft  dominion*  of  rhe 
EoQpcror  of  M^^covy  ar«  grofs  Heathens  The  grflatcr  part  of  Great 
Tai-  try,  a  HsUhen  country,  has  in  later  times  beea  brought  un-iet 
«he  Murcovirc  government ;  and  there  have  been  of  late  gre^l  -um- 
bers of  th  )(c  Heachcn?  who  are  renounced  sheir  Hcatheoifm,  and 
h^v'C  embraced  the  Chriftian  rehgton. 

[3]  Thr-e  has  been  latfW  1  very  con fidcr able  propagation  ol 
the  Ciri^Jan  religion  ail  )ng  the  tfcatbco  in  the  E*;^  Indic» ;  par- 
Siculirlv,  many  in  a  country  in  the  Eail:  Indiei  called  Malabar ^ 
have  he^'n  brought  over  to  theChriftran  Proieftant  religion,  chicfiy 
by  the  liborsof  cerial  1  miflionaries  fcnt  thither  to  inilnji'^  them  by 
tfte  King  of  D^imark,  who  have  brought  over  many  Heathens  to 
the  '^hrSftian  faith,  and  have  fei  up  fchools  among  them,  and  4 
printing-prefi  to  p^int  Bib'cs  and  oihet  books  for  th«ir  inftru^ion> 
|n    h<'ir  own  l«nfu»go,  with   great  fuccefs.  . 

^0  The  laf*  kind  of  f'^C'-fs  which  there  has  lately  been  of  the 
gf  r:e\  wh'ch  I  ikal!  rake  ror'ce  of.  Is  the  revivals  of  the  power 
ar.  nri^ic^  o'  religion  which  have  lately  bscn.  Here  I  fiiall 
Cake  notice  oi  btit  two  inftancet,  (>) 


the  Warl:  of   JR  E  D  E  M  P  T  1  O  W.  1 3  j 

(i)  Tbcrc  bat  not  lorg  fince  becD  •  icmarkiihle  revival  of  the 
pnwei  ano  practice  ofreiigton  in  SaXony  m  Getmany,  through 
the  cndeavori  of  an  eminent  divine  there,  whofe  name  wat  Augi/i 
Htrtnon  frank,  pDttffor  of  divinity  at  Hall  in  S^iony,  who  bci 
fng  a  perlon  ot  eminent  charity,  the  gteat  worlc  that  God  iviought 
by  bim,  began  Mritb  hit  fetting  on  foot  a  charitable  detign.  It  be- 
gan only  with  hi§  placing  an  alms  box  at  bis  fludy  -door,  into  which 
fomepoor  mitts  wc^c  thrown,  whereby  bocks  were  bought  for  the 
ini^ruAion  of  the  poor.  God  ^was  plcafed  lo  wonderiully  to  (mile 
on  bis  defign,  and  fo  to  pour  out  a  fpirit  of  charity  on  people  there 
on  that  occaiion,  that  with  their  charity  he  was  enabled  in  a  little 
time  to  ere  A  public  fcnooli  for  the  mitrudiion  of  pooi  chiUren, 
and  an  orphan- houfe  for  tht  fupply  and  ini^rudion  of  the  poor  $  fo 
that  at  laft  it  came  to  that,  that  near  five  hundred  children  were 
maintained  and  inftruficd  in  learair  g  and  piety  by  the  charity  of 
other!  ;  and  the  number  continued  to  increafc  more  hxi6  more  for 
many  years,  and  till  the  laft  accounts  1  have  feen.  This  was  ac- 
companied viitb  a  wonderful  reformation  and  revival  of  religion^ 
and  a  fpirit  of  piety,  in  the  city  and  univcrfity  0/  Hall ;  and  thus 
it  continued.  Which  alfo  hadjgreat  influence  in  many  other  pl^ccf 
in  Germany.  Their  example  fcemed  rcopgrkabiy  co  fcir  up  mul* 
titudes  to  their  imi ration.  * 

(2)  Aiioiher  thing,  which  it  would  be  great 'ul  in  us  not  fo  t5«kc 
notice  of,  ii  that  remarksble  pouring  cut  of  the  Spiric  o^Gcd  which, 
feas  been  of  late  in  this  part  of  New-Ergland,  of  which  wc,  iq 
this  town,  have  had  fuch  a  (hare.  But  it  is  needle fs  for  roc  par- 
ticularly to  defcribe  it,  it  being  what  you  have  fo  lately  betn  cye- 
witntiTcs  to,  and  I  hope  multituots  of  youfci  fiblc  of  the  heticfv  of. 

Thus  I  have  mentioned  the  more  rcoa^rkabit  infianccs  of  the 
fuccefs  whfch  the  gofpel  has  lately  had  in  the  world- 

4.  I  proceed  now  to  the  layl  ih«ng  that  was  propofcd  to  be  con- 
iidcrcd  reiatirtg  to  tQe  fuccef»  of  Chiiil't  redcmpaon  during  this 
fp.*ce,  viz.  what  the  ftate  of  things  is  now  in  the  wot  Id  with  rtjv,  ^d 
to  the  church  of  Chrift,  and  the  fuccefi  of  Chrift's  purchsfe.  '""nia 
2  would  do,  by  (l^.owing  hew  ihirg*  are  now,  coir,p?rcd  ."ith  the 
firft  times  of  the  Reformation  i,  I  would  (bow  wherein  the  ??je. 
of  things  is  altered  for  the  worfc  ;  and,  2.  How  ii  U  altered  foe 
the  better. 

(i)  1  would /how  wherein  the  f}?tc' of  things  is  altered  ^cr>^ 
what  it  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  Kc^ormaiion,  for  the  wt.fej 
and  it  is  fo  cfpccially  in  thefe  three  re(pcrH.  ^ 

[i]  The  reformed  church  is  much  dimini(bed.  The  Refcrmatioa 
in  the  former  times  of  it,  a&  was  obferved  btfore,  was  iuppofcd  to 
Sake  place  through  one  half  of  Chrif^cndom,  exccpilng  »►  c  Greek 
cborch  ;  or  that  there  were  as  many  Protcftsnts  ai  P^fMfjji,  iJut 
90«r  it  it  i^QX  (0  g  the  FrotcAant  church  is  much  dieii..i(i  d.   Here* 


2|4  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T   of 

tcforc  s'nerehsve  been  oiuUitud^s  o^  Protcftanta  in  Fraftce  ;  msny 
finous  Hrolcftant  chuichc»  wsrc  a?l  over  thai  country,  who  ufe4 
to  mert  togpihcr  in  fynonds,  and  maintaia  a  very  rcg;ular  difci- 
p'f'nc;  and!  great  p-ifi  of  ihat  k'ngdom  were  PiolcO^nrta,  The 
F  otcftant  church  of  France  w-i»  a  grc4t  pa-.t  of  the  glory  of  the. 
Reformation.  Bat  now  it  jb  far  oiher*srifc  :  this  chtich  i»  all 
biokcn  ro  pieces  arA  fcaitcyei.  The  pjoteftanl  religion  is  almoft 
l»hoUy  rooted  out  of  that  kingdom  by  the  crud  pc-ftcutions  which 
bivcbcen  there,  aid  there  arc  now  but  very  few  FrotcfUnt  alfem» 
b'cs  in  all  that  k  igiom.  The  Protei'lant  infercf^  is  alfo  great* 
ly  imini{hcd  ir  Germany.  There  were  fcvcrsl  fovercign  princes 
there  former Jy  who  were  Protedants,  rvhofc  fucct'fTors  are  now 
P-p!»\';  ;  as,  p^rticuhrly,  the  Elector  Palatine,  and  the  E'''<^or  of 
Sax  >ny.  The  kingdom  of  BoJicnria  was  formerly  aProteAani  king- 
dom, but  i»  now  in  the  hands  of  the  P  pi''^»  :  and  fo  Hungary  vyaP 
formerly  a  Poteftant  couritry  ;  bu-  the  Po^cftan^s  there  hivc  bcca 
gteatly  reduced,  and  in  a  g<eai  me^fure  (ub'^ued,  by  tfcie  perfccuti- 
or«  that  have  been  there.  And  the  Pfotel^ant  insercfl  has  bo.  way 
Semarkibly  gained  ground  of  late  csf  thf*.  church  ci   Rome. 

(2)  Anoti  er  tbiDg  -^  'thin  the  Oatc  of  things  if  altered  for  the 
wcrfc  from  ii  what  v/;  .l|r;  :h£  fotmer  times  of  the  Kcformation,  i^ 
the  prevailing  of  licertiouincf.*  in  principles  and  opinions.  There 
19  not  now  that  fpirit  of  orthodoxy  which  there  was  then  :  there  it 
rei'V  little  appearance  of  ?.«l  for  the  mytkrioub  and  Spiritual 
r^ctlrinef  of  Chr  i<^ia»ity  ;  and  they  never  were  fo  ridiculed,  and 
tad  in  contempt,  ai  they  are  in  the  prcfenl  «ge  ;  and  cfpecial^y  m. 
England,  the  p  incipal  kingdom  of  ihe  Kcfcrmation.  In  thij^ 
Jifrgdom,  Jhofe  pritiCJple*,  on  which  the  power  of  godlincfs  Hc«» 
depr  rid«,  arc  in  a  great  me^furc  eapl  dcd,  and  Ati^nifm,  the  So-^*. 
rinian'fm,  and  Arminiariifm,  bpo  Dcifrn,  arc  the  thing*  which 
irriv.ij,  and  csfry  altroft  a1!  before  them.  Particularly  hiviory 
gtvts  no  account  of  any  "'g*"  wl.erein  thtre  was  fo  gre^t  an  apoflafy 
o'  ihofe  who  bad  been  b'ough?  up  wnder  the  light  of  the  gofpcJ^ 
le  infidelity  ;  never  was  I'r.cre  fuch  d  ciCiing  off  of  the  Chriftia'.i 
ard  ail  revealed  religion  ;  never  yny  »ge  wherein  was  fo  much. 
fcoffing  at  and  rediculing  she  gospel  of  Chriftc.hy  thofe  who  hare 
bct:D  brought  up  under  gofpel  light,  nor  ary  ihirg  like  it,  as  there 
38  at  tr.is   clay. 

[3]  Another  thi^g  wherein  thing?  are  altered  for  the  worfe,  U^ 
that  thee  is  much  Irfs  of  the  prcvale^cy  of  the  power  of  godiinef^p 
thar  ♦here  was  at  the  beginning  o^  th<?  Rc''ormation.  Thc?e  w£9  a 
jt'orious  out  pouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God  thit  accompanied  the  firft 
J^eformstion,nol  only  to  convert  mutitudes  in  fo  fhort  a  time  from 
Popcfytotbe  Hue  religion,  but  to  turn  many  to  God  and  trutr 
godlineiko    Heligfon  gionoudy  flourished  in  one  country  2nd  aaoi* 


the  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  S3f 

,»fcep,  at  tnoft  rem  tkably  appeared  in  tboft  limea  of  terrible  pcf. 
fccuti^n.  which  have  alicady  been  fpckcn  of.  Bui  now  there  it 
an  exceeding  great  decay  of  vual  piciy  ;  yea,  'i  lecms  to  be  dcf- 
ptfcd,  c^^llcd  tntkufiajmt  v>himfy,  nhO  Janaticijm.  Ttolc  who  are 
«x\j!y  religious,  aic  coooxnoiiiy  looked  upon  lo  be  cr^ck  brained^ 
ana  bcfidc  ibcir  right  mind  ;  and  vice  and  profanenel*  dreadfully 
prevail,  like  a  fiood  which  thteatcaa  to  bear  down  all  bclore  it.«- 
Bat  I  proceed  now  to  ffajw, 

(2)  In  what  rclpctt  things  arc  altered  for  the  bclier  from  what 
ihcy  wefc  in  ihc  tirit   Kertrmalion. 

[i]  Tnc  power  andiijflucr.ee  ot  the  Pope  ii  much  diminifhsd* 
Al»bLUg;  ,  fince  the  fonncr  times  o*  the.  KtfformaticD  he  has  gained 
grouuo  in  exfcni  o  dooiicior;  yet  be  b^slofl  in  degrtf  ol  iuflucr.ce* 
The  vial  which  in  iht  beginning  of  the  Kcfoimiiiton  wat  poured 
out  on  the  throne  ot  the  bcaft,  to  the  great  dienini(hii)g  of  his  pow- 
er and  authority  in  the  world  ,  ha$  continued  running  ever  fince* 
The  Pope,  loon  4fter  the  Kef ortn^riori,  became  Icfs  regarded  by 
the  princes  of  Europe  than  nc  bad  been  bc«ore  ;  and  fo  he  bat  bcea 
fmce  Icfs  and  leii.  Many  ot  the  popifh  princes  themfelves  feeni 
cow  to  regard  him  very  little  moic  than  they  thirk  will  ferve  their 
own  defigns  4  of  wbicb  tbccc  have  bcea  feveral  rcmarkabk  proofs 
and  inAanccs  of  late. 

[2]  There  is  far  Icfs  pcrfecut?on  now  than  there  was  in  the  firft 
^UQCs  of  the  Kclormaiion.  You  h^ve  heard  already  how  dreadfully 
pcrfecution  raged  in  the  former  times  of  the  RcTormation  ;  and 
^cre  i&  fotnething  of  i»  f^ill  Soire  pans  of  the  PkOtcftant  church 
are  af;  this  day  under  perfccution,  and  fo  probably  will  be  till  tbo 
day  of  the  church's  ful^crii  g  and  travail  is  at  an  eodiWhich  Will  no| 
be  tiU  the  fail  of  Antichrifi.  Hut  it  is  now  in  no  mcafure  as  it  wat 
heretofore.  There  does  n(^t  fccm  to  be  the  fame  fpirit  of  pcrfccuiioa 
prcv>iiling  ;  it  is  become  more  out  of  Uih'ion  even  among  the 
Popifh  princes.  The  wickedncfs  of  the  enemies  of  Chrin  ;  and 
fthc  oppofi.ion  againii  his  caufe,  fccm  to  lua  in  another  channet. 
The  humour  now  it,  todefpifc  and  laugh  at  all  religion  ;  and 
their  feems  tobea  fpirieof  indifTcrency  about  it.  Howevtr,  fo 
far  the  f^ste  of  things  is  Lctici  tfcar  it  has  been,  that  there  it  fo 
much  Icfs  of  pcrfecution. 

(3)  There  is  a  great  increafc  of  rearnitig.  In  the  dark  t?mct 
of  Popery  before  the  Reformation,  learning  was  fo  far  decayed, 
that  the  world  fccmed  to  be  overrun  wish  barbarous  igrorancc. 
Their  very  pricfts  were  many  of  ihem  groiily  ignorant.  Learning 
beg:4n  to  revive  with  the  R,- formation,  which  w^s  owing  very 
much  to  the  art  of  printing,  which  was  invented  a  little  before 
the  Rt^omuton   ;  and  fmcc    that,   learning   has  incrcafed   more 

sadsDOie^  asdattbit  4if  i%  undoubtcdij  raifed  to  vMy  a  greater 

Izighi 


2^6  A    H  I  S  T  o  a  y  of 

hsight  than  ever  it  wat  before  :  &nd  though  no  good  ufe  <f  made  of 
ii  by  the  greatci  part  of  learned  men,  yd  the  iucr^afe  oi  kariiing 
in  itfcU  it  a  thing  to  bQ  rejoiced  in,  becaufc  ii  i«  a  good,  aiirt,  J 
duly  applied^  an  excellent  hiindmild  to  divinity,  and  is  a  talent 
\yhich,  if  God  gitct  to  locn  an  hcaii,  aifordi  them  a  g^eat  advan- 
tage tp  do  great  th»ngi  foi  the  advanccDDcnl  ol  the  Jiingdom  of 
Chiifl,  and  ihc  g  od  of  the  fouls  of  men.  That  learning  aad 
know)'  dgc  fr.ouM  grcatHy  incrcafe  before  the  glorious  limcj,  fieeaai 
Jo  be  foiciold,  l)ao.xu  4.  **  ^«t  thou,  O  Daniel,  fhut  up  the 
vcrd?,ancf  fe^i  tfit  bool^,  even  to  the  time  of  iLe  end  ;  many  fhall 
run  10  knd  fro,  and  knowledge  feall  be  incrcafcd."  And  howc'icir 
hwt  now  leainjng  is  applied  to  the  advancement  of  religion  ;  yet 
we  naay  hope  that  the  d*y.«  arc  approaching  whcreinGud  will  make 
grc<L\  ufe  of  it  ior  the  advancemc<;t  of  tbc  kingdom  of  ChriO, 

God  in  hi?  pifovifjcricc  now  ftcms  to  be  ading  over  a^^in  the 
favr.  part  which  he  did  a  iiti'e  bc[ur«?Chr»ft  c.>mc.  The  age  where- 
in Chfift  name  i'to  the  ^rorll,  was  an  age  whcjcin  leafoiug  great* 
ly  prevailed,  and  was  at  a  greiSer  height  ihan  ever  it  had  been  be- 
fctc  ;  and  yei  wickedncfs  never  prevailed  more  loan  then,  God 
W3S  pleafcd  to  fuftcr  human  karnJ.ig  ro  cooiv.  to  fuch  «  height  be- 
fore he  fcntforth  tbcgofpci  mio  the  world,  ibat  the  world  mig^t 
fee  the  infufliciency  oJ  ajhheif  own  •vifdora  ♦or  the  obtaining  the 
knowledge  of  God,  withoui  the  gofp*^!  of  Cnrij^,  ;^nd  the  tcacbingf 
of  his  Spirit :  ar/ithfn,  after  that,  in  the  wifdona  of  God,  the 
the  world  by  wifiom  ki^ew  nor  Gad,  it  plcafeo  God,  by  the  fool" 
jflhnefs  of' preaching,  to  iive  thesi  th^t  believe.  And  when  the 
gofpclcaone  to  prevail  iint  wittjout  the  help  of  ;»an's  wifdom,  be* 
God  was  p!eafe(S  to  make  uic  of  learning  as  an  handmaid.  So 
now  learning  is  at  a  grcsi  height  at  this  day  in  the  world  far  be- 
yond what  it  was  in  the  age  when  Chr'it  appeared  ;  and  now  the 
world,  by  their  learning  ar,d  wifdom,  a  not  k  ^ow  God  ;  and  tbey 
feem  to  wander  in  darknefs,  arc  mifcr^bly  dcjuded,  Puiablc  and 
fall  in  maUert  of  religion,  as  in  oiidn'ghc-darkncfs,  Trufting  to 
their  learning,  they  gropt  in  th«j  day  time  ?%  in  the  oight.  Learn- 
ed men  are  -.xccedingly  divided  in  then  opinions  concerning  th^ 
matters  of  re?  "gion,  run  intoa'i  manner  of  corrupt  opinions,  and 
pernicious  and  fooiifh  errors.  They  fcoiT  10  fubtmii  their  reafon  to 
divine  revelation,  to  believe  any  ihtng  that  is  above  their  compic- 
fccnfiou  ;  and  fo  b:in^  wife  in  their  own  eyes,  they  bccosac  fools, 
and  even  vain  i.-*  iheir  imaginations,  an^-^  turn  the  trirthof  Godrnto 
a  lie,  and  their  fool'fh  hesirts  arc  darkened.     See  Rom.  I  21   €rG« 

But  yet,  when  God  has  fu/ficicnlly  (hown  men  tae  infufficicacy 
of  huojan  wifdcm  and  learaing  for  the  purpofes  of  rdig'on,  snd 
when  the  api..>inted  tiojc  come*  for  t^at  glorious  outpouring  of  the 
S^iriiot'God,  wheo  he  will himfcU  by  his  owa  ioam-ui^jc  ''^u- 

eacs 


(ha  Work  of  REDEMPTION.  «3^ 

tnce  enliB^wn  men.  miod,  ,  thcnm.y  w.  hope  .hatGod  *«!  «,ke 
ufc  o«  tbe  gr.:..  incrc.fe  of  Icrn.ng  ..  .«  h-nima.d  .«  «1.g.onr 
.,  ,  m«n.  of  the  gloriouf  advancement  of  the  kinglom  of  h'.  S  >n. 
Then  (l..Ufcu»an  learning  be  fubfcvienl  to  the  '-'•''"^'^'^"'"e  ?* 
.be  fcripture..  and  to  a  clear  exphna.ion  and  a  g'""""* J/Jf^ 
of  .he  doftrine.  of  chrifti.ni.y.  There  ..  aodoubt  to  be  made  of 
n  *,.  God  in  hi,  providence  ha.  of  late  given  the  worla  .be  ar, 
o  plting,  and  fuch  a  great  incrcafe  of  learning,  to  P'«P'«  '°' 

what  he  defi^n.  to  accon,p>iO'  f°'  ^''  '^Tch  "  >"  '^^-12^ 
on..  p.ofp«i.y.    Thu.  .he  wealth  of  the  w.cked  ..  U.4  up  fo.  .be 

^  Ha  V ,  N  0  now  (hown  how  the  wotk  of  redempt.on  ha.  been 
eartied  on  from  .he  MI  of  man  to  the  prefen.  .ime,  befoie  I  pro- 
ceed  any  further.  I  would  make  fome  Al-ri-iCATloH. 

,  From  wha.  ha.  been  faid.  we  ma,  fee  great  ""»«""  «*^ 
„u.h  of  *eChrifii.n  religion.  »<«  .hat  the  fcr.p.we.  a.e  .he  word 
of  God.  There  are  three  argu-ent.  of  th...  wh.ch  I  ftall  take 
flOtice  of,  wUch  may  be  drawn  from  what  ha.  been  fa.d. 

(i)    I.  mav  be  arg..ed  from  .hat  violen.  and  inveterate  oppofiu. 
onVereha.  alw.,.  appeared  of  *' "'^kednef.oMh.  world  aga.^ 
thi.  religion.     Tbe  religion  that  the  church  of  God  *^»  f'^^'f^^ 
from  the  firft  fonnding  .f  the  church  after  the  fall  to  tho  time,  has 
.lw.,.been  the  fame.     Though  the  difpenf.t.on.  have  been  alter- 
ed  ve.  the  religion  which  the  church  ba.  profeiTerf  ha.  always,  a. 
.0  i»  efre„.ial.:been  .he  fame.    The  church  of  God.  from  th.  be. 
ginning,  h..  been  one  fociety.    The  chrif\.aD  church  wh.ch  ha. 
bcenfince  Chnft'.  afceofion,  U  m.nifeftly  .he  fame  fof'^'T  e°»."" 
.^d  wiTh  the  church,  .hat  wa.  before  Chrift  came      The  Ch«ft..a 
church  i.  grafted  on  their  root :  .hey  are  built  on  the  fame  founda- 
tion     The  revel  «ion  on  which  both  have  depended,  i.  effent.ally 
the  fame-  for  a-  .heChriftianeburch  U  built  on  .he  holy  fer.p.uret, 
fo  wa.  .he  Jewifh  church,  .hough  now  ihe  fcriptute.  be  enlarged  by 
,he  ,^di,ionof  the  New  Teft.men. ;  U.t  .Mil  '' ;«,/<Te"«""y  *« 
fame  reveUtion  with  .ha,  which  wa.  g.ven  .n  ,heOldTeftame«..on. 
Iv  the  fubieflj  of  divine  revelation  are  now  more  clearly  revealed  m 
,he  New  Te^lamen,   than  -hey  were  in  .he  Old.     «"'  'k«/»"  "<• 
fubfl.nce  of  ho*  the  Old  Tenamen.  and  New.  ..Chr.ft  and  h..  re- 
iempln      The  religion  of  .he  church  of  Urael.   -"  «"y 
Ihe  f  me  religion  wi.h  .ha.  of  the  Chr.ft.an  church,  a.  "^^^J 
appear,  from  what  h..  bee.  faid.     The  ground^work  of  the  rel.g!. 
or  of  .he  church  of  God,  bo.h  before  and  fince  Chr.ft  ha.  appeared. 
}.  the  fame  great  fcheme  of  redemption  bv  tbe  Son  of  God  ;   and 
fo  the  church  that  wa.  before  tbe  Ifraelitiih  church,  wa.  fl.ll  the 
fame  fociety,  a.  it  wa.  efTtn.ially  the  fame  relig.on  that  wa.  pro. 
Mtd  and  p«aUed  in  it.    Tbu.  it  w».  from  ISoah  w  Abraham.and 


jj^Z  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  y    of 

•«» 
thus  !i  was  before  ihc  flood  And  this  focicry  of  men  that  Is  €iU 
Udtht  church,  hai  always  been  built  on  the  foundation  o  thofe  rc- 
velvitlons  whfcb  «reh<vc  in  the  fcriplurtf,  which  hp.vc  always  bcca 
efTentially  the  fina<r,  inough  gradually  Incrcsfi:  g  The  church  be- 
fore the  fljod,  was  builr  on  the  foundation  of  thofe  revelationi  oit 
Cknil  which  kvcre  given  to  Adam,  and  Abel,  and  Enoch,  of  which 
we  have  an  account  in  the  former  chapter!  of  Genefig,  and  othcit 
of  the  like  import.  The  chu>ch  after  the  flood,  was  built  on  the 
foundation  of  the  Tevclations  made  to  Noah  and  Abraham,  to  Mcl- 
chifcdck,  If^ac,  and  J^cob»io  Jof^ph,  Job,  and  otncr  holy  iiien  of 
whom  wc  have  an  account  in  the  fcripmrcs,  or  other  revclaiionf 
that  were  to  the  f  one  purpofc.  And  after  ibij  the  church  depended 
on  the  fcriptu'c*  themfclves  as  they  gfadusily  inercafed  ;  fo  th<it 
the  cliurch  of  God  has  Jw  ys  been  built  on  the  foundation  of  divia6 
revelation,  snd  always  o  thofe  revelations  that  were  effcniislly 
the  fame,  and  which  arc  fuvroaarily  comprehended  In  the  holy 
fcriptures,  and  ever  fitice  about  y.^zi%  time  have  been  built  on  tbc 
fcriptureg  themfelves. 

So  that  the  oppofition  which  has  been  made  to  the  church  of 
God  in  all  ages,  has  always  b^en  igainA  the  fame  religion,  and 
the  fame  revelation.  Now  therefore  the  violent  and  perpetual 
oppofision  ihat  has  ever  been  made  by  the  corruption  and  wicked* 
scffl  of  mankind  again^  this  church,  is  a  Ihong  argument  of  the 
tfuth  of  this  religion,  and  this  revelation,  upon  which  this  church 
bas  always  been  built.  Csntraries  arc  tveli  argued  one  with  a- 
cother.  We  may  well  and  fafely  argue,  that  a  thing  is  good,  acr 
cording  to  the  degree  o'  oppofition  in  which  it  ftands  to  evil,  of 
•he  degree  in  wbieh  evil  oppofes  it,  and  is  an  enemy  to  it.  Wc 
xn^y  well  argue,  that  a  thing  is  li^hr,  by  the  great  enmity  which 
darknefs  has  to  it,  Now  h  is  evident  by  the  thing*  which  you  have 
heard  concerning  the  church  of  Chrifl,  and  ihil  the  holy  religion 
of  lefus  Chrift  which  h  hss  prafefTcd,  that  the  wickcdnefi  of  the 
world  has  had  a  perpetual  hatred  to  it,  and  h&i  made  moft  violent 
oppofition  againf^  it. 

That  the  church  of  God  has  always  met  with  great  oppofitioa 
In  the  world,  none  can  deny.  This  is  plain  by  profane  hiftory  aa 
far  as  that  reaehci  ;  and  before  ^h%t,  divine  htftory  gives  us  the 
fame  account.  The  church  o^  Orti,  and  its  religion  and  worihtp^, 
began  to  be  oppofed  in  Cain's  and  Abel's  time,  and  was  fo  whea 
the  earth  was  filled  with  violence  in  Noah's  time.  Alter  this,  how 
was  the  church  oppofed  in  E^ypt  I  and  how  was  th«  church  of 
Ifracl  always  hated  ^y  thena>ions  round  about,  agreeable  to  that  ia 
Jer.  xii.  9  '*  Mine  heritage  is  unto  me  as  a  fpeckled  bird,  the 
birds  round  about  are  againft  her."  After  the  Bhylonilb  capfivi- 
ty«  bow  V9aa  this  chuicU  periecutod  by  Aaciochua  Epiphanes  and  o- 

there 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  ?^.  «3^ 

thers  !  andho^  wsi  Chiift  pfirfccotcd  when  he  vraion  earth  !  and 
bow  were  the  apolUe*  and  other  Chriftiani  pcrfccatcd  by  the  Jews, 
before  the  dcftrurtior\  of  Jcrufalcmby  the  Romani  !  How  violent 
were  thai  pct?p1e  againft  the  church  '  and  how  dreadful  was  the  op- 
politioa  of  the  Heathen  world  againfl  the  ChriftUn  church  afic? 
this  before  Conflantin*  !  How  great  wai  their  fpitc  againli  the 
true  rcixgioa  !  Siiictthar,  how  yet  more  violent,  and  fpitcful^ 
and  cruel,  haa  been  the  oppofiiion  of  Aniichrift  againft  the  chureh  I 

There  h  no  other  fuch  inftancc  of  oppolition-  Hifrory  givei  no 
account  of  any  other  body  of  men  that  have  been  fo  hnted,  and  fni 
malicJoully  and  infaliibly  purfucd  and  perfccutcd,  nor  aay  thing 
like  it.  No  other  religion  ever  was  fo  naalign<:d  ags  after  age.  The 
nations  of  other  profellioni  have  enjoyed  their  religion  in  peace  an  J 
and  quietnefs,  however  rhey  have  diifcred  from  their,  neighbours* 
One  nation  hai  worfljippcd  one  fort  of  gods,  and  oiheri  another,' 
without  molcfting  or  difturbing  one  another  about  it*  All  the 
fpile  and  oppofuion'has  been  againft  thi«  religion,  which  ihcchurcb 
of  Chrift  has  profeffcd.  All  other  religions  have  feeaaed  to  Qkow 
an  implacable  enmity  to  this  ;  and  men  have  fccmed  to  have,  frooft 
one  age  to  another,  fuch  a  fpitc  againft  it,  that  they  have  fcemcJ 
88  though  they  could  never  fatisfy  their  cruelty.  They  put  their 
inventions  npon  the  rack  to  find  out  tormcati  that  (hould  be  cruel 
enough  ;  and  yet,  after  all,  never  fccmed  to  be  fatisfied.  Thetic 
thirft  has  never  been  fatisf^cd  with  blood. 

So  that  this  is  out  of  doubt,  that  this  religion,  and  thefe  fcrip- 
tures,  have  always  been  malignantly  oppofcd  in  the  world.  The 
only  queftion  thai  remains  ii.  What  it  is  that  has  made  this  oppo- 
fition  ?  whether  it  be  the  wickednefs  and  corruption  of  the  world, 
or  not,  that  has  done  this  ?  But  of  this  there  can  be  no  greater 
doubt  than  of  the  other,  if  we  confidcr  how  caufclcfa  this  cruelty 
has  always  been,  who  the  oppo^crs  have  been,  and  the  manner  ia 
which  they  have  oppofcd.  The  oppofuion  has  chiefly  been  from 
Hcathenifm  and  Popery  4  which  things  certainly  arc  evil.  They 
are  both  of  thtm  very  evil,  and  the  fruits  of  the  blindncfs,  cor- 
ruption, and  wickednefs  of  men,  as  the  very  Uei^s  thcmfclves 
confefs.  The  light  of  nature  iliows,  that  the  religion  of  Heathens, 
confifting  in  the  worfhip  of  idols,  and  facrilicing  their  children  to 
them,  and  in  obfceric  and  abominable  rites  and  ceremonies,  ie 
wickednefs.  And  the  fupcrfliiions,  and  idolatries,  and  ufurpaii'* 
ons,  of  the  church  of  Rome,  are  no  lefs  contrary  to  the  light 
of  nature.  By  this  it  appears,  that  this  oppcfition  which  hae 
becu  made  againft  the  church  of  God,  has  been  made  by  wicked! 
men.  With  regard  to  the  oppofition  of  the  Jews  in  Chrif^'s  and 
iheapoftles  times,  it  was  in  a  mofl  corrupt  time  of  that  oationi» 
wbcQ  the  people  were  generally  become  otcesding  wicked^  as  fomc 

G  g  oC 


^-P  •       A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

of  the  Js^fxih  writers  t'eiiifelrci,  ii  Jof:phlif  fnd  oiberf,  #ho  iivei 
av>ovj»  ^iat  lime,  do  r xprcflly  Tiy.  \TL3t  it  has  been  ancre  wicked- 
Dcia  thai  ha«  maie  this  oppofition,  if  trjHaifcft  from  t^c  manner 
ofoppofitioa,  rhc  extreme  violence,  Jnju/licc,  and  cfueliy,  with 
«^iich  the  church  of  God  has  been  treated.  It  fccms  to  Ihow  the 
She  hand  of  miligna;.:  infernal  fpirits  in  it. 

N^vf  vvbit  reafon  e^^Ji  be  affigncd,  why  the  corri^ptjoa  and  »vick-. 
tdnefs  of  the  world  »l»ouM  fo  implacably  fit  itfdf  againft  this  reli- 
gion of  J^fus  Cusist,  and  againit  ibe  fciiptufOi  but  only  that  ihcy 
af^*?  contrary  to  **i^[cvj  Jnefs,  2nd  coafcquently  arc  good  and  holy  ? 
^*^ay  Ihould  the  enemies  of  Chriil,  for  fo  many  ihoufand  ycafs 
together,  mmUaik  fur.h  3  mortal  hatred  of  this  religion,  but  only 
ihat  it  19  the  caufsof  God  ?  If  the  fcripujrts  be  not  the  word  of 
Gjd,aud  the  rcligtoa  of  the  church  of Chri it  bu  not  the  true  religion, 
*/!j'in  ii  mu4  follow,  ihst  it  43  a  moft  v%Ickcd  religion  ;  nothing 
buv  a  pacJc  of  Uts  and  aboMfnablcdclurions,  invented  by  the  cne- 
isihs  of  God  thcEofcIvcs.  If  this  w^re  fo,  it  is  not  isfcely  th.^t  the 
fnemica  oi'Gji,  acd  jI;2  wickedncfs  of  the  world,  would  have 
mabtsined  fuc'i  a  ps^p^jvusl  and  itaplactbh  enmity  againft  it. 

i  (z)  h  is  a  great  ,;^'gnm.:nt  that  the  Chriftian  church  and  m  reli- 
g?Oi2  i.3  froii  Goi,  that  h  has  been  upheld  hitherto  through  all  th« 
obp 'fltlon  5T>d  dangsrs  it  has  paijFci    throughi    That  the  church 
cf  Gad  Avd  the  trjs  a'iigion,  which  has  been  fo  eontinuaHy  and 
violently  oppjfed,    with  fo  many  endeavours  tor  overthrow  it, 
and  whi-i)  haS  fo  oftea  been  bfcught  to  the  brhkoi  ruin,  and  al- 
moil  fwaliovTrtd  up,  through  the  grea>eft  p-art  of  fix  tboufand  ^ears^ 
h*3  yet  been  upheld,  clo':«  uiuH  remar^.^bly  Oio^  »hc  hand  of  God 
ijl  favourol  £he  chuifch.     if  we  coTjfiicr  it,  jj  vrill  appear  cqe  oi 
the  fireaicft  wonders  n^d  miracles  that  cv.*r  Cime  to    pafi.  .  There 
iJf  vjihing  c'ff::  {Ike  h  apon  the  fjce  of  the  earth.     T'^cre  k  no   o- 
tlKr  fcciety  of  msn  t'.  ;i  has  Aood  as  ih;  church  has.     As  to  the 
cM  woridjiphich  wat  before  the  /]ocd,that  was  overthrown  by  a  dc- 
Stge  .^f  wniars  :  buJ  yet  the  church  of  God  #as  prefcrvtd.     Sit^te's 
v^ihit  kltipdtc-i  on  e<:rih  was  then  ones  entirely  ov«rthrown  ;  but 
1  he  viable  king jcui  of  Chrift  never  his  been  overthrown.    All 
tiiofe  ancient  h'Jtnan  kingdoms  and  oionarchiei  of  which  we  read, 
And  A'hlch  hare  b^ren  in  forrtier  ages,  they  are  long  fiuce  cou:c  to 
an  C'rii?.     Vi-oie.  kiogdoiis  of  which  we  tcad  in  the  Old  Tcftament, 
of  the  Mo^hftvt,  the  AmmonHcf ,  the  Edomiies,  &«Cc  they  arc  al! 
Ictjg  ^j*^o  come  to  an   end.     Thoft  four  great  moaarahies  of  the  , 
irorU  ha^e  b-en  overthrown  one  after  another.     The  gicat  empire 
^projsi  '  ?by2on  was  overthro'vn  by  the  Pcrfians  ;  and  thcji  the' 
i'lfun    vvi'je  w^j  ovcrthfo-v;,  by  the  Greeks ;  after  this  the  Gre- 
cian cicpire  w.^n  overthrown  by  the  Romans  ;—  aad,  SinaUy,  the 
Koman  caip»rc  h\i  a  facritice  to  various  barbarous  nations.    Hcr«  ^ 
is  a  teaaarksbl©  faLilacat  of  the  wo;d|©f  the  tpxt  with  refpcft  to 

ether 


the  Wark  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  lO  N,  '       241 

other  things  even  the  grcAlcift  and  mcft  glorious  of  tbcai  t  thfjr' 
ha/eaH  gro^v n  old,  and  have  vanilhed  rMnky  ;  *»  The  incth  has- 
eascn  Jhcm  up  like  a  garment,  the  worm  catca  ibtm  like  vrooli"but 
yet  GjJ'i  church  remaini. 

N-vcr  where  there  fo  many  aud  fo  potent  endeavours  to  deftroy 
any  thing  elfc,  as   there  hnvo  been  to  deftroy  ifce  chu'ch.     Oihc" 
kingdomi  and  focicties  of  men,  which   have  appc^rcci   to  be  ten 
times  as  frrong  ai  the  cbuvch  of  God,  hc:vj'  been  dcilroyed  with  an 
hundredth  part  of  the  oppofiiion  which  ibc  church  of  God  h^s  DiCf. 
with  :   which  (hpwt,  that  it  is  Goa  who  haj  been  the  protcdor  of 
the  church.     For  it  is  moft  plnin,  that  it  has  not  uplcld  iiftli  by 
i*8  own  (Ircrjgth.     For  the  mofi  part,  it  has  been  a  very  weak  fo- 
ciety.    T.ey  have  been  a  lililc  fiock  :  fo  tb;y  were  of  old.     The 
children  of  IfracI  were  but  a  fmaJl  handful  of  people, in  cotup-irifoD: 
s*f  thi  many  who  often  fought  their  overthrow.   And  fo  in  QiiiH'i  • 
Um2,  and  in  the  beginning  of  the  Chrifiian  church  afrer  Chri.'f's 
refurro^icn,  ibcy  were  but  a  remnant :  whereas  the  whole  multitude 
of  the  J-wi(h  nation  were  againft  them.     And  fo  in  the  bcgii4r;ing 
of  the  Gentile  church,  ihey  were  but  a  fm.-iU  number  in  conparifon 
with  the  lieaihcn,  who  fought  their  overthrow..    And  fo  In  the 
dark  times  of  Aiuchrift,  be^'orc  the  Re>LTmatfon,  tney  f-cr^ibuj:' 
a  handful ;  and  yet  their  enemies  could  nevcT  overthrow  theji,    Jg 
has  commonly  been  fo,  that  the  encinici  of  the  church  h^ve  not  onlj^ 
Lad  the  greaiefl  nutpbcr  of  their  Hie,  but  tl^.y  h^vc  had  tre  itrengtb 
of  their  fiie  in  other   nfpcds,     Thf^y  h^ve  commoiJy  had  aii  the 
civil  authority   r.f  their  fiie.     So  it   wjs   in   Egypt  :    the  civU 
authority  wat  of  the  fide  of  the  Evgnt;s,ns  ar.l  the  church  were 
only  their  (laves,   snd  wrre  in  their  hdnds ;   and  yet  they  could 
not  overthrow  them.     So  it  wis  in  the  t:mr  or  t'\e  pe,  f-.ci:tJon  cii 
Antiochus  Epiph-^ncs  :  the  auiIiCrily  was  all  on  the  fsd.j  o;  the  pcr- 
^cuiors,  and  the  church  was  under  their  dominion  j  and  yet  all 
their  cruelty  could  sot  extirpate  it.     So  it  w^s  after ivards  in  the 
time  of  the  Heathen  Ronjan  government.     And   fo  it  was  in  ili 
lime  of  JuU.«a  the  apoftale,  who  tlid  his  utn^eit   to  overthrow  irc, 
Chriftian  cliurch,  and  to  reftorc  H^athcnffm.     So  ii  ha?  tccr.  iot- 
the  moft  part  fince  the  rife  of  Ar.n'ch.  ;f^  ;    for  ?  rrcjt  mur/  igx;#, 
the  civil  authority  w^s  all  on   the   (iic  of  Aotlch*ifi,  acu  the- 
church  feeaied  to  be  in  th<;xr  hands. 

Not  only  has  the  Arcrgib  of  the  enemies  of  ihe'tburch  been 
greater  than  the  /^rerigth  of  the  church,  bu:  ordinarily  chc  Cburcb 
has  net  ufsd  what  ftrcngth  tbey  have  hrd  in  iV^ir  own  defcrctj  b'lt 
have  committed  tbemf*lves  wholly  10  Go:L  S©  it  wss  in.  ibc  i^ns 
cfthe  Jewifh  pc:fec»j»ions  before  the  rfcfiruifi ion  of  jrruMem  by 
the  Romaot ;  and  fo  it  was  ii  the  t.Vc  of  the  Heathet^  peVfccuticn* 
before  Canftantinc ;  ?hc  Cbrifiians  did  not  crjy  not  rife  up  Jn  arms 
to  defend,  thcmfelvc.*,  but  they  JId  not  pre  en i  ?o  mike  any  fcrCiMc; 
leriflcncc  to  their  Heathen  perficutors.    £0  it  has  act  the  rrcl*  rirt 


«4*  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     of 

been  under  thcPopifh  ptrrfecutions  ;,  and  yet  tbcy  have  nev^er  bcea 
able  to  ovcithro»v  the  church  of  God  ;  but  it  fiands  to  this  very  day. 
This  is  i\il!  the  more  exceeding  wonderful,  if  wc  confi^cr  how 
often  the  church  has  been  brought  to  the  brink  of  ruin,  and  the  cafe 
fccmed  to  be  defpcrate,  and  all  hope  gone,  and  ihcy  fccracd  to  be 
fvrallowed  up.  in  the  timtof  the  old  world,  when  wickcdricfa  fo 
prevailed,  s*  thnl  but  one  fstijUy  was  left,  yet  God  wonderfully  ap- 
peared, and  overthrew  the  wicked  world  with  a  itood,  and  prcferv- 
ed  hii  church.  So  at  the  Rcrd  fea,  when  Pfasroah  aad  his  ho<t 
though  they  were  quite  furc  of  their  prey  ;  yet  Gad  appeared,  aad 
dellfoyed  ihcen,  and  delivered  hi«  church.  So  was  it  from  lime  to 
time  in  the  church  of  Ifrad,  as  has  been  fhowri.  So  under  the 
tenth  and  laft  Heathen  perfccution,  their  perfecuiors  boaAcd  thai 
BOW  they  had  done  the  bufincfs  for  the  Chriftians,  and  had  Over- 
thrown the  Chriftian  church  ;  yet  in  the  mid  (I  of  their  triumph,  the 
ChrilUan  chureh  rifcs  out  of  the  6n^  a^d  prevail,  and  the  Heathen 
empire  totally  falls  before  it.  So  when  ihcChriAianchnrch  fcemed 
Ecady  to  be  f-^allowed  up  by  the  Arian  hcrcfy  ;  fo  w^cn  Antichrift 
f?afc  and  prevailed,  and  all  the  vrofJd  wondered  after  the  bcaft,  and 
8hc  church  for  maoy  hundred  years  was  reduced  to  fuch  a  fmail 
number,  and  fecmeti  so  be  hidden,  and  the  power  of  the  world  was 
cngagtd  to  deftioy  thofc  Unit  rcmamdcrs  of  the  church  ;  yet  they 
could  never  fully  accomphi]!  their  dtfign,  and  at  laft  God  wonder- 
fuK-y  i-cT-ived  his  chu^cb  in  the  time  of  ih«  Rcfoirination,  and  made 
it  So  Aand  as  h  were  on  iis  htt,  in  the  fight  of  ifs  eacmies,  and 
raiTed  it  out  ofythsir  rcsch.  So  fincc,  svhcn  the  Popifb  powers  bavs 
^  iOtied  tb'^  overthrow  of  »he  Reformed  church,  and  have  feemcd 
jfjfl  about  to  bring  thek  taattcra  to  a  conclufion,  and  to  finiih  ihcir 
de%n,  thenGod  has  wcnderfdly  appeared  for  the  deliverance  of  hi* 
church,  as  it  war  in  the  tins^  of  the  Revolution  by  King  William. 
So  it  has  been  froca  ilnifz  io  time :  prefcntly  after  the  darkcft  time? 
of  thexhurch,  God  has  isade  his  church  nioft  glorioufly  to  floufi&. 

If  fuch  a  prcfcrvaiibn  cf  toe  church  of  God,  from  the  beginning 
tit  the  world  hitherto,  attended  with  fuch  circuooftances,  is  not  fuf- 
ificicnt  to  (hew  a  divine  hand  in  favour  cf  it,  what  can  be  dcvifed 
that  would  be  fufF:c»cnt  ?  But  if  this  be  ficm  the  divine  hand,  then 
God  o*vns  thechuch,  and  owns  her  religion,  and  owns  that  reve- 
lation and  thofe  fcr?ptur«§  on  which  (be  is  built  ;  and  fo  it  will  fol- 
low^, that  their  religion  !b  the  troe  religion,  or  God's  religion,  sni 
that  the  fcriptures,  which  ibcy  make  their  rule,  arc  his  word. 

(3)  Wc  may  draw  this  funher  arguoiect  for  the  divine  authori- 
ty of  the  fcriptures  from  what'has  been  faid.  viz,  that  God  has  fo 

fulfilled  thofc  things  which  arc  foretold  in  the  fcriptures. 1 

fcave  already  obfervcd,  as  2  went  along,  how  the  prophecies  of  the 
fcripturc  were  fulfilled  :  I  ihali  now  therefore  Hogle  out  but  two 
safiaQcei  of  the  fui£lmcct  of  fciipturc  prophecy*  (1) 


As  Work  cf  R  E  D  E  At  P  T  I  O  N.  24$ 

(1)  One  11  in  preferring  bis  church  from  being  ruined.     I  have 

juft  now  (hown  what  an  evidence  thii  ii  of  the  divine  authority  of 
ibe  fcriptui-'C)  in  itfcii  coniidercr]:  1  now  fpeak  of  it  as  a  fulfilment 
of  fcfipiure-prcphccy.  This  is  abundantly  foretold  and  promif- 
ed  in  the  fcripturef ,  at  particularly  in  the  text  ;  there  it  i%  foretold 
that  other  tbinj^s  ihould  fail,  other  kingdoms  and  monarchies,  which 
fet  thcDofelvcs  in  oppoftiion,  (hould  come  to  nothing  :  "  The  moth 
fhould  eat  them  up  tike  a  garment,  and  the  worm  Ihould  eat  tbeoi 
like  wool."  So  it  has  in  fa<^  come  to  pafs.  But  it  is  here  foretold, 
•feat  God's  covenant  mcfcy  to  his  church  (hould  continue  for  ever  ; 
and  fo  it  bath  hitherto  proved,  tbo'  now  it  be  fo  many  agei  fince, 
and  though  the  church  has  paiTcd  through  fo  many  dangers.  The 
fame  is  pfomifcd,  If.  liv,  17.  **  No  weapon  that  is  formed  a- 
gainit  thee,  fltall  profpcr  ;  and  every  tongue  that  fball  rife  againfl 
the  in  judgcirent,  thou  (halt  condemn.*'  And  again.  If.  iclix.  14, 
15.  16.  '*  But  Zion  faid.  The  Lord  hath  forfaken  me,  and  my 
Lord  hath  forgotten  me.  Can  a  wcntan  forget  her  fucking  child, 
that  fhould  not  have  compaflion  on  the  fon  of  her  womb?,yea,they 
may  /®rget,  yet  will  1  col  forget  thee.  Behold,  Ihavc  graven  thee 
upon  the  palms  of  ray  hands,  thy  walls  are  continually  before  mc,*» 
The  f^me  is  promifed  again  in  If.  lis.  21.  and  If.  xliii.  i.  2. 
and  Zscb.  xii.  2.3.  So  Chrid  promifes  the  fame,  when  he  fays, 
**  On  this  rock  will  1  build  my  church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  fball 
not  prevail  againft  il."  Now  if  this  be  not  from  God,  and  the 
fejiptures  be  not  the  word  of  God,  and  the  church  of  Chrift  built  on 
?hc  foundation  of  this  word  be  not  of  God,  how  could  the  perfont 
who  foretold  this,  know  is  ?  for  if  the  church  were  dot  of  God,  it 
was  a  very  unlikely  thing  ever  to  come  to  pafs.  For  they  foretold 
the  grcae  oppofuion,  and  the  great  dangers,  and  alfo  foretold  that 
uilicr  kingdoms  Oiould  come  to  nought,  and  that  the  church  fl^ould 
often  he  almofl  fwallowcd  up,  as  it  were  eafy  to  fhow.,  and  yet 
foretold  that  the  church  fbould  remain.  Now  how  could  they 
forefccfo  unlikcJy  a  thing  but  by  divine  infpiration  ? 

(2)  The  Other  remarkable  infVance  which  I  Qiall  mention  of  the 
fulfilment  of  fcfipture-prophccy,is  in  fulfiUingwhat  is/orctold  con- 
cerning Antichrirt,  a  certain  great  oppofcr  of  Chrift  and  his  king- 
dom. The  way  that  this  Antichrift  (hould  arifc.  Is  foretold,  viz. 
not  among  the  Heathen,  or  ihofe  nations  that  never  profcfTcdChrif- 
tianity  ;  but  that  he  (hould  arife  by  the  apoftafy  and  falling  away 
of  the  ChriAian  church  into  a  corrupt  Aaie  :  2  Thcf.  ii.  3.  *'  For 
that  day  fliall  not  ccme,  except  there  come  a  falling  away  firft, 
and  that  man  of  fm  be  revealed,  the  fon  of  perdition.*'— —It  ii 
prophcfisd,  that  this  Aniichrifl,  or  man  of  fin,  fhould  be  one,  that 
ihould  fet  himfelf  up  in  the  temple  or  viable  church  of  God,  pre* 
tending  to  be  veded  with  the  power  of  God  hiftfelfi  at  head  of  the 

church 


44  A  H  I  S  t  C  E  Y    r>» 

ct^ufcfe,  ajin  the  fam«?ch3p.  verf.  4.  A?l  this  is  exa<^l3r  coaie 
topsfsin  iht  church  of  P^m'^.  A^aln,  it  i»  ih*!frt?tcd,  that  the. 
rifs  of  Aatichrifl  fhoulJ  be  gr^do^iJ,  as  there,  vzrf.  7.  "  For  the 
myircry  of  intqulty  doth  already  work  ;  otly  he  sho  now  Icticih,' 
will  let,  until  he  be  taken  out  of    ihc  way"     Thij  >^ifo  came  to 

pifi,-— Again,  it  is  propbcficd  ct  /ur.ha  grest  and   mighiy  e- 

reray  of  lh<!  G^iri^ian  churchy  that  he  Ihould  be  a  great  pvincc  or 
tno^arch  of  the  R^m-in  tmpire  :  fo  he  is  rcprcftnted  as  an  horn  of 
tii^fouflhbi2(tiv.D\nh\,  or  fou-th  kiog^'Oin  or  monarchy  upon 
ea??o,  ai  the  angili  himfif  exphintit,  35  you  m^y  fee  of  the  little 
horn  In  the  yih  ch  '.ptcr  o{  D^uicl.  This  aifo  c^me  to  pafi  — 
Vc-a  it  13  proplicfi'id,  that  thr:  feat  of  this  g:e3t  prfhcc,  or  prctendei 
\h:s  of  God,  and  hc?d  of  feii  church,  fbould  be  in  the  city  ofRcme 
iddf»  In  the  i7-h  chapter  of  Rsvehrton,  it  h  faid  exprefsly,  that 
tie  fpirim^S  whore,  or 'fa! fef  church,  ftioulJ  have  her  feat  on  fevcn 
mountains  Of  hilh  :  JRi'v,  xvi«.  9..  **  The  fs^en  heads  are  fcven 
mountain's,  on  whtch  the  woman  il'teth  :"  and  in  the  hft  vcrfe  o^ 
the  chapier,  it  i?  f?M  fa:,prell}y,  **  Tlic  woman  which  tho«  faw'eft* 
is  that  great  city,  which  reigneth  over  the  kings  of  the  carlh  ;*' 
Vihich  it  is  cerlain  was  at  thiit.tioic  ihe  cisy  o^  Rome.  Tiiis  pro- 
phecy glfo  ha?  comcto  p3f«  in  ths  church  of  Kcme. 

Furtker,  hvva?  proph^Oed,  thif  thi*  Antichnft  fhou!d  rrign  cvc^ 
peoples,  and  multuuncs,  and  nations,  snd  tongues, Rev.  xvii.  15.  ; 
i\ti  that  all  the  world  fhould  woivdcr  after  the  beaft,  Rtv  xiii.  3^' 
This  alfo  came  to  oafs  ia  the  church  of  Rojt.c.  It  Was  foretold  that 
tiiisAntichrift  fh  mid  b^^  eminent  nnd  :<:m-rrkable  for  the  fin  of  pride, 
pretendiDg  to  grcas:  things,  and  affuoniiiig  very  much  to  himftif • ;  fo 
sn  ibcfcremaitianed  p!<^ce  in  Thc(ia!on:ans,  **  Thalhefhould  cx- 
sh  hiaaldf  above  ^:\l  shal  is  calkd  God,"  or  that  is  wcrfrJped.  So 
Rsv,  xiii.  r.  "Arid  there  wp?  given  unto  him  a  mouth  fper^king 
gre;>l  thing*,  and bl^rphemies."  Dan.  vii.  20.  the  little  born  «» 
faid  to  have  a  mouth  fpcaking  very  great  things,  and  his  look  to 
lie  more  iloui'tban  Ih  fellows,     Tl  ?3  slfo  csme  to  pafs  in  thePcpe, 

znd  the  church   of  Rome. It  was  alfo  prophefed,   that  An- 

tichrrfl  liiould  bean  eicceding  cruel  perftcutor,  Dan,  vii.  2!» 
The  fame  horn  madcwarwah  :^c  faint5,and  prevailed  againft them; 
Rev.  xiii,  7.  *'  And  it  was  gW-n  »:nto  him  to  make  was  v  ith  the 
famts,  and  to  cverccmc  them."  Rev.  xvii.  6.  •*  And  I  fsw  the 
v/omaa  drur^kcn  with  the  blood  of  the  faints,  and  with  the  blood  of 
the  m?.nyf»  of  Jcfus."  Thii  alfo  came  to  pafs  in  the  church  of 
Koirt:.— —  It  wsi  forett^d,  that  Amichrift  f^Juld  excel  in 
craft  and  policy  :  Dan,  vii.  8.  '*  Inthisho^n  were  eyes  like  the 
eyes  of  a.m^n."     And  verf.  20.  •*  Even  fo  that  horn  that  had 

eye?."     This  alfo  csmc  to  paf«  h  the  church  of  Rome. -It 

was  foretold,  tbit  the  kings  of  Cbiiftctdoaa  fhculd  be  fubjeft  to 

Aallchrifl ; 


the  Work  of    REDEMPTION.  24^. 

AntichrU  ;  Kev.  xvii.  12.  13.  "  And  the  ttn  hcrni  ivliich 
ihou  favTcff,  arc  len  kings,  which  dave  received  no  kingdoms  aft  yet; 
bul  receive  power  at  kioos  one  lioiif  with  the  bci^'/t,  Thcfc  have 
one  mini,  and  iball  give  ibeir^power  snd  ftrergth  unto  the  bca<t." 

l>ji»  Aio   Cham  to  psfi  with  lefpcd  to  ifx  R  aivlh  cbuich. It 

w.^s  forp.iold,  that  beChouH  pcrtorua  pretended  miraclci  and  ly  jg 
vroaderi  :  2  Thcf.  ii.  9*  **  Whofc  <x,a»ing  is  after  trjc  working  of 
Satan,  with  all  p:jwcr,  and  fignf,  an-  lying  wondcri,'\  Kcv  xiii, 
^3.  14,  *'  And  he  doth  great  woaJ^iis,  fo  that  lic  maketb  fir^  coni6 
down  from  hcav»:a  on  the  earth,  in  the  ilghi  of  men,  and  dccelvcth 
thcai  thai  dwell  O'i  ihc  caah,  by  the  means  of  ihcfc  miracles  whiwh 
bt  had  power  to  do  In  Jfac  fight  of  she  bcaft,"  This  alfo  came  to 
l^afs  fo  the  church  of  Rome,  Fire's  coming  down  from  hcavso, 
fccmcd  to  have  reference  to  their  txcoa>cauaica5ion»,  which  vyciro 
drc'idcd  like  fire  from  heaven. —— It  w^s  foretold,  thai  he 
(bould  fpfbid  to  m:-<fiy,  and  to  abi^am  from  meats  :  1  Tim.  iv,  3* 
**  F.^rbiddiig  to  marry,  and  commanding  to  sbftaia  from  meats^ 
which  Goi  h^tli  created  io  be  received  with  thankfgiving./'  This 
alfo  v-  exaClJy  fulfil^d  in  the  church  of  Rome,  — j-It  was  fore- 
told, that  hcfhould  be  very  rich,  and  arrive  at  a  great  degr«c  oi 
earthly  fplendor  aiid  glory  :  Rsv.  xvH.  4,  *'  And  the  wcman  was 
arrayed  in  purple,  and  fcarlct  colour,  and.deckcd^  with  gold  and 
precious  ftones,  and  pearis,  nsving  a  golden  cup  in  her  hand.** 
And  fo  chap,  xviii.  7,  12.  13.  16.  This  aifo  13  come  lopsfi 
with  rcfpt^  to  the  church  of  Rjrac.—— It  was  foretold,  that  he 
fliould  forbid  ar.y  to  buy  or  fell,  wiibcut  tKry  bac^  bis  mark  :  Kcv. 
xiii.  17.  **  And  ih&t  no  man  might  buy  or  fell,  favc  ha  th^t  had 
the  mark  of  the  beail,  or  the  number  of  bis  name."  .  This  aifo  U 

fulfilled  in  4h«  church  of  Rome. It  was  foretold,    thai  be 

fhouldf«ll  the  fouls  of  men,  Kcv.  xviJi.  13  wbcic,  in  cnuaaera- 
ling  the  article*  of  hii  racrchandife.  tit  feuli  of -mtn  arc  mentioned 
as  one.  This  alio  is  cxicily  fulfiiied  in  the  fdm?.  church.— —It 
was  foretold,  thai  Antichrift  would  not  f.  fFvf  the  bodies  of  God.*% 
people  to  be  put  into  gMve»  :  R  v.  xi.  8:  9.  **  And  their  dead 
bodies  iLall  lie  in  the  ftren  of  the  gr^it  city  —  aad  they  —  (tall 
not  fuifer  their  dead  bodies  ?o  bo  put  la  graves,','  Tnis  aifo  has 
literally  copae  to  pafs  wish  tefpeil  to  tj-c  church  of  Rome.-*—! 
ipight^mcntion  many  other  things  which  .were  loretcl?  a*  Aptichrifl- 
or  that  great  enemy  of  ibc  church  fo  often  fpok^n  of  la  fcriptuTc, 
and  (how  that  they  vi^it  fuifiled  moftcxatlly  in  the  ?o^  aad  the 
chu-ch  of  Rome.  '  .  -*  .*.       ' 

Hew  firong  an  argument  is  this,  that  the  fcrjpturci  are  the  word 
of  God  i 

.2   Bui  {  come  now  to  a  fecond  r'nfirence  ;  -vbich  h  this  :   Frotn 
wbai  bai  bcco  ffid,  we  may  learn  what  the  fi^Iiil  of  irui  Chrifiiaai 


<46  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   of 

if,  vis.  a  fpirJt  of  fuffaring.  SeciogGod  hsa  fo  ordered  it  In  hh  pro- 
vidence,  that  bis  church  (kould  for  Co  loug  a  ttht,  for  the  greater 
part  of  fo  many  sgw,  be  in  a  fufFering  fta?c,yea,  and  often  in  a  ftalc 
of  fuch  cxiream  fuircriag,wc  may  conclude, that  thejfptrii  of  thenuc 
church  w  afuffcringfpirit.  ofUcrivifcGod  never  would  have  ordered  fo 
«uch  fufFering  for  the  church  ;  for  doubtlcfiGod  accommodates  the 
ftate  and  circumflancsi  of  the  church  to  the  fpirit  that  he  hsi  given 
them.  We  fee  by  what  hat  been  faid,  ho«r  many  amd  great  fuffeHngt 
gheCbfii^'  in  church  for  the  moft  part  has  been  under  for  thcfe  1700 
•/ears  •  '  wonder  therefore  that  Ghrift  fomuch  inculcated  upon  his 
Jifcij ;  i,  that  if  was  neccffary,  that  if  any  would  be  his  difciples, 
'They  muli  deny  thenifeivei,&nd  take  up  their  crofa  and  follow  him/ 
We  may  argue,  that  the  fpirit  of  the  true  church  of  Chrifb  is  a 
fufFering  fpirit,  by  the  fpirit  the  church  hai  fliown  and  exccrcifcd 
uader  her  fufFering;  She  has  aftua!ly,  under  thofc  terrible  pcrfccu- 
tioni  though  which  (be  has  palTed,  rather  chofcn  to  undergo  thofc 
dreadful  torments,  and  to  fell  all  for  the  pearl  of  great  price,  to  fuf- 
fcr  all  that  her  bittcreft  cacmiei  could  inflid,  thantorcncunccChrii^ 
and  his  religion.  Kiftory  furnifhcs  m  \ykh  a  grcst  number  Of  rc- 
fliarkable  inftances,  fets  in  view  a  great  cloud  of  witnclTes.  This 
abundantly  confirmi  the  ncccffity  of  being  of  a  fpirit  to  fell  all  for 
Ghrifl,  to  renourice  our  own  cafe,  our  own  worldly  profit,  and 
honour,  and  our  all,  for  him,  and  for  the  gofpel. 

Let  us  inquire,  whcthc;  we  are  of  fuch  a  fpirit.  How  does  it 
pravc  upon  trial  ?  Does  il  prove  in  fad  tiiat  we  are  willing  to  deny 
ourfelves,  a:nd  renounce  ^ur  own  worldly  intcrcft,  and  to  pafs 
through  the  trials  to  which  we  a^e  called  in  providence  ?  Ala9,how 
fmail  arc  our  trials,  compared  with  thoie  of  many  of  our  fellow 
Chriflians  in  former  ages !  I  would  on  this  occati  jn  apply  that  m 
Jcr.  xii.  5;  «*  If  thou  haft  run  with  the  footmen,  and  they  wea- 
ried thee,  then  how  caaft  thou  contend  with  horfcs  ?"  If  you 
have  not  been  able  to  endure  the  light  .trials  to  which  you  have  been 
called  in  this  age,  and  in  this  land,  how  would  ytsu  be  able  to 
endure  the  far  greater  trials  to  which  the  church  has  been  called  in 
former  ages  t  Every  tiue  ChriAisn  has  the  fpirit  of  a  martyr,  and 
would  fuffcr  as  a  martyr,  if  he  were  called  to  it  in  providence. 

3.  Mencc  we  learn  what  great  reafon  we  have,  affuredly  to 
sxpcCt  the  fulfilment  of  what  yet  remains  to  be  fulfilled  of  things 
foretold  in  fcripture.  The  fcriptures  forctcl  many  great  things  ycf 
to  be  fulfilled  before  the  end  of  the  world.  But  there  fecm  to  be 
tpreat  difficulties  in  the  way.  Wc  fccm  at  prefeai  to  be  very  far 
from  fuch  a  ftaie  as  is  foretold  in  the  fcriptures  ;  but  we  have  a- 
bundant  rcafon  10  expert,  that  thefe  things,  however  fcemingly  dif- 
ficult, will  yet  be  accomplilbed  in  their  feafon.     We  fee  the  faith- 

fulncfi  of  Gcfd  to  his  promif^i  hitherto,    Ho^  trye  his  God  bcca 

to 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I O  N.  247 

to  hii  chuvh,  and  remembered  his  mercy  from  generation  to  gcne- 
ration  !  Wc  may  fay  concerning  what  God  has  done  hithcrio  for 
hii  church,  as  Jofhua  faid  to  the  the  children  of  Ifracl,  ]o(b.  xxi=i, 
I4.  "  That  not  one  thing  hath  failed  of  all  that  the  Lord  our  God 
hath  fpoken  concerning  hii  church  s"  but  all  things  ;»re  hitherto 
come  to  paf«  agreeable  to  the  divine  prcdidion.  This  fhouli 
Arengtheu  our  faith  in  ihofe  promifes,  and  encourage  us,  and  ftir 
us  up  to  earneft  prayer  to  God  for  the  atcompliflimcDt  of  the  great 
and  glorious  things  which  yet  remain  to  be  fulfilled. 

It  has  already  been  fiiown  how  the  fuccefs  of  Chrift's  redemp- 
rion  irai  carried  on  through  various  periods  down  to  the  prefcnJ 
time. 

4ihly.  I  come  now  to  Hiow  how  the  fuccefs  ofChrift*s  redemption 
#111  be  carried  on  from  the  prefent  time,  till  Aniichrift  is  fallen, and 

Sitan's  vifible  kingdom   on  C3rth  is  dcfiroyed. And  with  rcf- 

pc(fl  to  this  fpace  of  lime,  we  have  nothing  to  guids  us  but  the 
prophecies  of  fcripture.  Through  mof^  of  the  time  from  the  fall 
of  mau  to  the  deArudion  of  Jerufalem  by  the  Romans,  we  had 
fcripture- hiftory  to  guide  us  ;  and  from  thence  to  the  prefent  time 
we  had  prophecy,  together  with  the  accomplilhment  of  it  in  pro* 
vidence,  as  related  in  human  hi/^ories.  But  henceforward  we  have 
only  prophecy  to  guide  us.  Here  I  would  pafi  by  thofe  things  that 
are  only  conjcftural,  or  that  are  furmifed  by  fome  fro'm  thofe  pro, 
phecies  which  are  doubtful  in  their  interpretation,  and  (hall  infiil: 
only  on  thofe  things  which  are  more  clear  and  evident. 

Wc  know  not  what  particular  events  are  to  come  to  pafs  before 
that  glorious  work  of  God's  Spirit  begins,  by  which  Satan's  king- 
dom is  to  be  overthrown.  By  the  confent  of  moft  divines,  there 
are  but  few  things,  if  any  at  all,  that  are  foretold  to  be  acccmplifli- 
cd  before  the  beginning  of  that  glorious  work  of  God.  Some 
think  the  flaying  of  the  witneffes.  Rev.  xi,  7.  8.  is  not  yet  accom- 
piilbad.  So  divines  differ  with  refpe(fl  to  the  pouring  cut  of  the 
fcven  vials,  of  which  we  have  an  account.  Rev.  xvi.  how  many 
a^e  already  poured  out,  or  how  many  remain  to  be  poured  out  * 
though  a  late  cxpofitor,  whom  I  have  before  mentioned  to  you, 
ftems  to  make  it  very  plain  and  evident,  that  all  are  already  pour- 
ed out  but  two,  v'z  the  fizth  on  the  river  Euphrates,  and  the  fe- 
venth  into  the  air.  But  I  will  not  now  ftand  to  inquire  what  is  in- 
tended by  the  pouring  out  of  the  fixth  vial  on  the  river  Euphrates, 
that  the  way  of  the  kings  of  the  eaft  may  be  prepared  ;  but  only 
■would  fay,  that  it  feems  to  be  fomcthing  immediately  preparing  the 
way  for  the  deftrudion  of  the  fpiritual  Babylon,  as  the  drying  up 
of  the  river  Euphrates,  which  ran  through  the  mid  ft  of  old  B;?by- 
lon,  was  what  prepared  the  way  of  the  kings  of  the  Mcdcs  and  Per- 
fians,  the  kings  of  the  caf^j  to  come  in  under  the  wallsj  and  def* 
troy  that  city,  H  h  But 


248  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

But  whatevir  thi*  be.  it  doci  not  8pp«ar  that  it  U  fny  thing 
whici^  ftiill  be  accocn^hhed  before  ihal  work  of  God's  Spirit  is  Ix;- 
gun.  by  which,  «s  it  rocs  on,  S^tan'i  vifrble  kingdom  on  earth  Ihili 
he  uticvly  over  thrown*  Therefore  I  wculd  proceed  dircc^Uy  to  coii- 
MzT  what  the  fc.-iptuie  rcvc&is  concerning  the  work  of  God  itfclf, 
by  which  he  will  bring  about  this  great  event,  as  being  the  next 
thing  wbith  is  to  be  accoffiplifhed  that  wc  are  certain  of  from  the 
prophecies  of  fciipiuic. 

FirA,  I  .vould  obfcrvc  two  thing?  in  general  concerning  it. 

I,  We  have  all  reafon  to  concluJe  from  the  fcripturcj>,  that  juft 
before  this  work  of  Gad  begins,  it  wiSl  be  a  very  daik  time  >yith 
rcfpc^  to  the  i.iterc/ls  of  rciigion  in  the  world.  It  has  been  fo  bo- 
fore  thofc  glorious  reyivals  of  religion  that  hwe  been  hitherto.  It 
was  fo  when  Chrift  cnm^  ;  it  was  an  excseding  degenerate  titne  a* 
mong  the  Jev/s  :  and  fo  it  was  a  very  dirk  time  before  the  Rsfor- 
msiion.  Not  only  fo,  but  it  fcems  to  be  foretold  in  fciipture, 
that  'n  IhaU  be  a  time  of  but  Hide  religion,  when  Chrift  OaAi  come 
to  fv^t  up  his  kJngflom  in  the  world.  Thm  when  Cbriil  fpake  of 
bis  coming,  to  cncotfrage  hi«  e!cd,  who  cry  to  him  day  and  night, 
In  Luke  xviii.  8  he  adds  this,  *'  Ncvcribclcfs,  ♦'  when  the  Son 
of  man  Cometh,  (hsU  he  find  faith  on  the  earth  ?"  Which  feems  to 
denote  a  gvcatprev^kncy  of  infidelity  juft  before  Chrifl's  coming 
to  avenge  his  fulTering  church.  Though  Cbrift's  coming  at 
the  laft  pi'lgsm-^nt  is  not  here  to  be  excluded,  yet  there  fe«m»  to 
be  a  fpccial  refp-d  to  hii  c^jming  to  deliver  his  church  from  theit 
Ior:g  continued  fufF>:fing  pi-rfecuted  iiate,  which  is  accomplilhcd 
only  at  his  coming  at  the  de^ruftion  of  Antichri^.  Thst  time  thai 
the  dcO:  c-y  to.Gdi,  es  in  Rev.  vi.  lo.  •'  How  long,  O  Lord, 
holy  and  tnie.,  doft  „tho'j  not  judge  avxd  svsnge  our  biood  on  them 
thit  d^'cll  on  the  canh  ?'*  and  the  tioie  fpckcn  of  inRev,  sviii/  2o> 
"R  jaice  over  her,  thou  heaven, and  ye  ho'y  Apoft!es,  ard  prophets, 
fof'^j  i  hi.h  37?iig2:!  youoi  hi:r,"  will  :bea  be  accomplilhei* 

It  is  now  a  very  dark  time  with  refpcA  to  the  interefrs  of  re- 
ligion, snd  fuch  a  Jtme  2s  :his  prcpheficoi  of  in  this  pl»cc  j  wherein 
their  is  but  little  iahhj  aod  a  great  prevailing  oir  ir.fikHty  on  the 
csrtb.  There  if  uow  a  rem-rkible  fuitilment  of  that  in  2  P^t,  iii.  3, 
•'  Knowing  this,  that  there  (hAl  con-?e  in  the  hft  days  fcoffcrs, 
w?.^k*ng  2fer  their  own  l».fts/'  So  Jude,  17,  18.  '*  But  beloved, 
rcmett).bt:r  yS  *he  wor^^s  which  were  fprken  before  of  the  apoftlei 
of  cur  Lot'd  Jeius  Ch<'ift  ;  how  that  they  told  you  there  fliould  be 
mockers  in  tb*;  l^ii  time,  who  flvjuid  walk  after  sh^^ir  own  ungodly 
luft!."  Whether  «he  timei  ftaU  be  any  darker  Ml,  or  how  much 
darker,  before  the  beginning  of  this  glorious  wotk  of  God,  we 
cannot   tell, 

?,  There  is  no  reafon  from  the  word  of  God  to  thisk  any  other, 

than 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  246 

tbsn  that  ihii  great  work  of  God  wiiJ  be  wrought,  though  vcty 
fwiftly,  yet  giadually.  As  chi  chiidicn  cf  Ifiaci  were  g  aiuJly 
brought  out  of  the  Babyloriirti  captivity,  fiii'toDC  company,  and 
then  another,  and  gradually  rebuilt  iLcir  city  ar  d  tempc  ;  and  at 
the  Heathen  Roaisn  cmjjiie  was  dcftroye.-J  by  a  g-adu.l,  »hough  a 
very  iwUt  prcvilcncy  of  she  gofpel  ;  fo,  though  there  arc  many 
things  which  fccm  10  bold  loilh  a*.  »bough  ibc  wcik  of  GoJ  houM 
be  exceeding  {jfin,  and  many  grsat  srd  wourtcitul  tv-nf?  IhouM 
very  fuidcnly  be  brought  to  p..ij,  ;  ncl  f jmc  grc?t  p-fts  of  Satan's 
vifible  kingdom  ftiodd  have  a  vc»y  fiiddcn  iall,  jet  ail  will  rot  be 
accompliihcd  at  once,  as  by  fom^:  great  miracle,  ^s  the  refurrec^ion 
of  the  dead  at  the  end  of  the  world  will  be  ail  ?ii  once  ;  but  ?hi$  u 
a  woik  which  will  be  accofnplifl;\cd  by  meani,  by  ihc  prcschtDg  of 
the  gofpel,  and  the  ufc  of  the  ordinary  rasa;is  of  grsce,  and  fo  ihall 
be  gradually  brought  to  pafs.  Socit  {hail  bs  converted,  snd  be  the 
means  of  others  converfion.  God'»  Spiiii  fl^iall  be  poured  ou»  firft 
to  rsifc  up  infuuaients,  and  ihca  ihofe  icftrumenu  Or.Al  be  ufcd 
and  fuccecdcd.  Doubilcfs  one  nation  (hall  be  enlightened  and 
converted  after  another,  one  faife  religion  andfalfe  way  of  wo^ihfp 
exploded  after  another.  By  the  reprcfcntsiion  in  Dan.  ii.  3.4.  ihc 
ftone  cut  out  of  the  mountains  without  bands  g'  adually  grows.  So 
•  Chrift  teaches  us,  ihit  the  kingdou  of  he;,  ven  is  like  a  grain  of 
muftard'fecd,  Matth- xiii.  31  32  and  like  leaver*  hid  in  three 
mcafurei  of  mcsl,  vcrie  33,  Tne  fame  reptefentaiion  we  have  in 
Mitkiv.  26.  27.28.  andirnhevifion  of  the  waters  of  tbefandfuary, 
Ez-k,  xlvii. — —The  fciipturcs  ho!d  forth  £i  thour-h  there  (bould 
be  fcvcral  fucceflivc  gic^t  and  glorious  cvcctj,  by  which  tkis  glo- 
rious wdrk  (bouid  be  sccomp'allicd.  The  angel,  fpcjiking  to  the 
prophet  Daniel  of  thofc  glorious  times,  mention*  iwo  glorious 
periods,  at  theendof  whxhglorioui  ihhi^^^s  Giouhihe  icccmpliftit  j; 
Dan.  xii.  11.  **  And  from  the  time  that  iiie  daily  f.^ciificc  Ibaiibe 
taken  away,  and  the  abcminatioa  that  m  kcth  defor^tr  fct  up,  there 
Ihsll  be  a  thoufand  two  hundred  and  nir-cty  c**.yf  "  But  ir  en  he 
adds  in  the  next  verfc,  **  BkfTed  is  he  that  w.-attm,  and  ccjr.cih 
to  the  thoufand  three  hundred  and  five  and  thivty  G3>5  ;"  ict^ma- 
ting,  that  Ibmcthing  very  glorious  fliouid  be  accoiTjphihcd  at  »hc 
end  of  ihc  former  period,  but  fomctbii^g  much  moic  glcriouR  ;t 
the  end  of  the  latter. 

But  1  now  proceed  to  fttow  ho^  ihii  glorious  work  n;a!l  be 
accomplifhcd. 

I.  The  Spirit  of  God  ihall  be  gloriotfly  poured  cut  for  the 
wonderful  revival  and  propagation  of  rclii>ion.  Tui*  gvc.t  wjrk 
lliall  be  accompliftied,  not  by  the  auibcrily  ol'princ*"-,  3Cf  by  the 
wifdom  of  learned  men,  but  by  Goi'i  Ii  Ay  Splut :  Z  ch.  iv.  6. 7. 
'*  Not  by  might,  nor  by  po aw,  but  by  my  Spirit,  f^.nh  xhc 

Lord 


250  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

Lord  of  hof^s.  Who  art  thou,  O  great  mounrain  ?  before  Zerub- 
babcl  thou  Ihalt  becoaie  a  pbin,  and  he  (hail  bring  forth  the  head- 
ftonc  thereof  vflth  fhoulings,  crying  Grace,  grace  unto  it.*'  So  the 
prophet  Ez.kicI,  fpe^king  of  this  great  woik  of  God^  faySi  chap. 
xxx'ix.  29  "Neither  will  I  hide  any  face  any  or. ore  fjotn  ihem  ;  for 
I  have  paurcd  out  my  Spiiii  on  tie  houfc  of  ifraci,  faith  the  Lord 
God.*\  Wj  kiovy  noi  where  this  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  iball 
begin,  or  whether  in  nsany  places  at  or,cc,  or  K-heiher,  what  hath 
already  been,  be  not  fome  forerunner   and  beginning  of  it. 

This  pouring  oUt  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  when  it  is  begun,  fhal! 
fooii  bring  great  multitudes  to  forcf^:kji  ihat  vice  and  wickcdncfa 
which  noiv  fo  generally  prevails,  aad  fhall  csufi  that  viral  religi- 
cn,  which  is  new  fo  dcfpifcd  and  b-ughcd  st  in  the  world,  to  re- 
vive. The  work  of  conversion  fi-jeli  bre^k  forth, ^and  go  on  in  fuch 
a  manner  ss  rever  has  i^scn  hitherto  ^  sgree  iblc  to  that  in  If.  rliv. 

3,4.  5. Ciod,   by  pouring  out  his  Holy  Spirit,  will  furni& 

n:jen  to  be  glorious  infiruinents  of  cayrying  en  this  work  ;  will  fill 
them  with  knowledge  and  wifdoci,  and  fervent 'zeal  for  iht  pro- 
moting the  kingiom  of  ChriJI,  and  the  falvation  of  foub,  and 
propagating  the  gofpd  in  the  world.  So  that  thegofpel  ftiall  be- 
gia  to  be  preached  wiih  abundantly  greater  clearnefs  and  power 
vhan  had  hertitoforc  been  :  for  this  great  work  of  God  (hall  be 
brought  to  pafs  by  the  pj^aching  of  the  gofpel,  as  it  i<  rcprcfcntcd 
in  Rev.  xiv.  6  7.  S-  liu:  before  Babylon  falls,  the  gofpel  Ihall  bs 
powerfully  preached  and  propagated  in  the  world. 

This  v/ai  typinid  of  old  by  the  founding  of  the  filver  trumpets 
in  Ifracl  in  the  beginning  of  jheir  jubilee  :  Lev.  xiv.  9.  **  Thet2 
Ihalt  thou  Ciufe  ihc  trumpet  of  the  jabilec  to  found  on  the  tenth  day 
of  the  fevenlh  month  ;  on  the  day  of  atonement  fhall  ye  make 
the  tiumpet  found  throughout  all  your  land."  The  gloricuB  times 
"Which  are  approaching,  arc  as  it  were  the  church's  jubilee,  which 
ftall  be  iniroduced  by  the  founding  of  the  filver  trumpet  of  ths 
gofpel,  as  U  fojeiold  in  if.  xxvii.  15  "And  it  Ihall  come  to  pafi 
in  that  day,  that  t'gfi  great  trumpet  ihdll  be  blown,  and  jhcy  (hall 
com;  which  were  ready  to  pe:i(h  in  the  land  of  AiTyih,  and  the 
cutciilj  of  the  land  of  E^jypr,  and  (hall  wor(hip  the  Lord  in  the 
holy  mount  at  Jerufal-m."  There  (hall  be  a  glorious  pouring  out 
of  the  Spirir  with  this  clear  and  powerful  preaching  of  the  gofpc!, 
to  make  it  fucccfsful  for  rev'  v- ng  thofs  holy  dodlrincs  of  icligion 
vhich  arc  now  chiefly  ridiculed  in  the  world,  and  turning  many 
from  hercfy,  and  from  Ropery,  and  from  other  falfe  religion  ; 
and  alfo  for  turning  many  from  iheir  vice  and  profancncfs,  and  for 
bringing  vaft  multitudes  favingly  home  to  Cbrifl. 

That  work  of  convcifion  (hall  go  on  in  a  wonderful  manner,and 
fprtad  more  and  mere.    Many  (hall  flow  together   to  Jbc  goo<i- 


the  Work  of    REDEMPTION.  ^ji 

uefs  of  the  Lord,  and  (hallcomeai  it  were  in  flocks,  one  flock 
and  muhitudc  after  another  ccntiaual'y  flowing  in,  as  in  If.  Ix*  4. 
5.  **  Lift  up  thine  eyes  round  about,  and  fee  ;  ?.H  they  g^iihcr 
themfclvcs  tcgeihcr,  ibcy  come  to  thcc  ;  thy  foii*  ihall  come  from 
far,  and  thy  d-UghtCi*  fhali  be  nurfcd  at  thy  fide.  Then  thou  {halt 
fee  and  flo-.v  together.  "  And  fo  verf-  8.  <«  Who  are  thcfe  thai 
fly  as  a  cloud,  and  as  the  cioves  to  their  winf^cA*  ?"  It  being  rc- 
prcfentcd  in  the  forcmeniionca  place  in  the  R^veiaiion,  that  ihq 
gofpel  fiiatlbe  preached  to  every  tongue,  unci  k'ndfcd,  and  nation, 
and  people,  before  the /all  oi  Anti^brift  ;  fo  wcmsy  fuppofc,  that 
it  will  fooa  be  glorioufly  fucccfjfui  to  bring  in  multitudes  from 
every  nation  ;  and  it  fhi^il  fpread  more  and  more  with  wondeiM 
f\4riftref€,ann  vaft  numbers  (hull  fuddcniy  be  brought  in  aa  at  once, 
ut  you  may  fee.  If.  Isvi,  789. 

2.  This  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  of  God  will  not  affc6l  the  over- 
throw of  Satan's  vifible  kingdom,  till  there  has.  fi;>:  bf*cn  a  violent 
and  mighty  cppofition  made.  In  this  the  fcripiutc  h  plain,  that 
when  Chrift  is  thus  glorioufly  coming  forth,  and  ihc  deftrctftion  of 
Antichriil  is  ready  at  hand,  and  Satan't  kingdom  begins  to  totter, 
and  appear  to  to  be  imminently  threatened, the  powers  of  tho  king- 
dom of  darknefs  will  rife  ^p,  and  mightily  exert  themfclves  tQ 
prevent  their  kingdom  being  overthrown.  Thus  after  the  poucr- 
ing  out  of  the  fixib  vial,  which  was  to  dry  up  the  river  Euphrates, 
io  prepare  the  way  for  the  deftrudion  ,of  the  fpiriiual  .Babylon,  it 
is  reprcfer  ted  in  Rev.  xvi.  as  though  the  powers  of  hell  will  be 
mightily  alarmed,  and  iiould  Air  up  themfclves  to  oppofc  the 
kingdom  of  Chrifb,  before  ifie  fcvealh  and  laft:  vial  fhall  be  poured 
out,  which  (hill  give  them  a  i]aal  and  complcat  overthrow.  We 
have  an  account  of  the  pouring  out  of  the  fixth  in  verf.  12.  Upoi\ 
this,  the  beloved  difciplc  informs  us  ihit  in  the  following  vcrfci, 
that  *•  three  unclean  fpirits  like  froga  fliall  go  forth  unto  ihekingq 
of  the  earth,  to  gather  them  together  to  the  battle  of  the  great  day 
of  God  Almighty."  This  feemi  to  be  the  laft  and  greatefl clTort  of 
Satan  to  fave  bis  kingdom  from  being  overthrown  ;  though  per- 
haps he  may  make  as  great  towards  the  end  of  the  world  to  re> 
gain  it. 

When  the  Spirit  begins  to  be  fo  glorioufly  poured  forth,  and  the 
devil  fees  fuch  multitjidcs  fl  xking  to  Chnfl  in  occ  nation  and  a- 
Qother,  and  the  foundations  of  his  kingdom  daily  underminicg, 
and  the  pillars  of  it  beaking,  and  tfie  whole  ready  to  come  to 
f^wrift  and  fuddcn  dcflrudion,  it  will  greatly  alarm  ali  hell.  Satan 
bas  ever  had  a  dread  of  having  his  kingdom  overthrown,  and  he 
has  been  oppofing  of  it  ever  fince  Chrift  s  afccnHon,  and  has  beei^ 
doing  greet  work?  to  fortify  his  kingdom,  and  to  prevent  it,  ever 
feice  the  day  of  Coa^actiof  the  Great,    To  ihi«  snd  be  bss   fc^ 


2;^  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

up  ihofc  two  fcJghty  kirjgdcms  of  Ant'chrivl  and  Mahorcef,  and 
brought  in  ail  the  hcitcr::;s,  and  fupcfituians,  and  cor»up:  opiiuor.i 
which  thcic  arc  iti  chc  world,  isur  ivheo  he  fcca  JA  begins  lo  faiJ 
il  wiilroure  him  exceedingly,  li  Satan  dreaded  being  c^n  out  of 
t'fce  Rouvaa  empi.c,  how  much  moic  decs  be  cJtcid  being  caft  oui 
of  tbc  vyhok  wo:M   I 

It  {ccva^  as  though  in  this  h^  grcr.t  oppcfHion  which  Ihall  be 
niade  aor-iinft  the  chuich  lo  defend  ih^  k.riguom  of  Siiun,  all  lbs 
forces  ot  Antichfin,  and  Mat'iorcaariifm,  and  Hiiaihcnifm,  will 
bciznteed  J  aacj  ai!  the  forcesof  Sitaa's  vifible  kinglom  through 
the  whvie  world  of  mankind.  Iherc/orc  it  is  fa^d,  that  "  {pum 
cf  dcviblbili  go  forth  ltaZo  ihc  kings  of  the  earth,  and  ct  the 
wbc!c  woiid,  so  gather  them  together  to  ihe  bitttie  of  the  grsat  day 
of  God  AliD'glitv."  Thefe  fpinis  afc  f^'d  to  come  out  of  the 
mouth  of  ihi:  d^ogoa,  and  out  of  the  tnouih  of  tpc  bcail,  and  out 
of  tine  mouth  c*  the  folfc  piopbcis  j  i.e.  there  lliail  be  the  fpirit 
oi  J'opet y,  aiid  the  fpirii  of  Mahorntianiftn,  ^nd  the  fpirii  ciHca- 
t^iCnifjQ,  all  un  ted.  By  the  beau  i!.  meant  Antichnft  ;  by  the 
dragon/ In  shi»  bQ-jk,  h  commonly  cic.-.nithc  devil,  ss  he  fcigni 
over  his  Heathen  kh  gdom  ;  by  the  ■  alfc  prophet,  in  this  book,  is 
fofncii(2i£4  mean:  the  Pope  and  bii  ck*s^y  :  but  here  an  eye  fecmj 
to  be  bad  to  Mahomet,  vvho.ii  his  fdlowcn  call  a  great  prophet  of 
Goi.  Tills  will  be  as  it  were  the  dying  ft^'uggles  of  the  ol  i  fcr- 
pcat :  a  battle  vvhere5n  he  wiH  fight  ai  one  that  i*  almoft  defperate» 

Wc  kno-.y  not  particuir^rly  in  wh  it  manner  this  opp^^'fiiicn  (hdl 
be  made  Ij  is  rcprsfentcd  ;.3  abauic  ;  it  is  caUed  the  battls  of 
ihf  great  day  of  God  Jimtghty.  There  will  be  fome  way  or  o- 
thcr  a  mighty  i^fugglc  bet v«cen  Satana  kingdcm  and  the  church, 
2nd  probably  In  all  ways  of  oppofition  that  can  be  ;  and  doubt- 
^fa  great  oppcfhioa  by  external  force  ;  wherein  the  princes  of  the 
vrorid  who  are  on  the  devil's  liae  fhill  join  hand  in  hand  :  for  it  is 
faid,  *•'  The  kings  of  the  earth  are  gathered  together  to  battle  ;'» 
Kev.  x?x.  19  Probibty  withal  there  will  be  a  great  oppofit ion  of 
fubile  difputtrs  and  carnal  reafoiiing,  and  great  pcrlcculion  in 
inanyplacej,  and  great  oppolition  by  virulent  rep-o-hcs,  and  A{o 
great  oppaftiioi  by  craft  and  fi.btlety.  The  devil  now  doubtlcfj 
will  ply  his  ficij,  as  well  as  ftrength,  to  the  u^moft.  The  devils, 
$nd  thofc  who  belong  to  their  kirgdom,  will  every  where  be  ftir- 
red  up,  and  engaged  to  make  an  united  and  violent  oppofiiioa 
againfl  this  holy  religion,  which  they  fee  prevailing  fo  mightily 
in  the  wor*d But, 

3.  Chrif:  and  his  church  ftiall  in  this  battle  obtain  a  compleat 
and  entire  vidory  over  their  enemies.  They  fhall  be  totally  rout- 
ed and  overthrown  in  this  their  hh  effort.  W^cn  the  powers  of 
fccll  and  canh  ^rs  thus  gathered  tagctt!tr  againft  Chrift,  and   bin 

atmiei 


the  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  253 

arralei  fijall  ccmc  forth  againft  ibein  by  his  word  an^  fpirit  to  fight 
With  hem,  ia  bovr  au^^jft,  snd  pompous,  and  plorioui  a  mannci 
is  this  comfnj;  foUh  of  Chri(Und  his  church  ».o  ihis  battle  riefcri- 
bed.  Rev.  x.i  ii  &r  !  To  rcpfcfcnt  to  u:  how  great  the  v<c- 
tory  l\},>uid  >;  which' Vicy  (houM  obtiin,  and  how  m'igh?y  the  over- 
throvr  of  ihtir  cnfmie»»  it  is  faid,  verf.  17&18.  that  "  ?11  the 
fowls  of  bc^  vcn  ;uc  cillfed  iOgc'.hcr,  to  eat  lie  great  fupper  given 
*heoi,  of  the  flcih  of  kings,  and  capuins,  and  mighty  men/'  &r.  ; 
and  then,  in  the  following  vcrfc?,  we  have  an  accounijof  the  vic- 
tory snci  ovciihrow. 

li  thra  vicrory,  the  fevcnth  vial  Iha'l  be  poured  out.  It  is  faid, 
Rtv,  xvi  16.  of  thi  great  army  that  Should  bu  gathered  together 
againft  Chr'ft  :  *'  And  be  gathered  them  togC't^cr  into  a  place 
called  in  ihc  Hrbrcw  tongue  Armageddon  •/'  and  then  it  is  faid,  '* 
And  the  ffv^nrh  angci  poared  out  his  vial  into  the  air  ;  and  there 
came  a  g^a  voice  out  of  the  temple  of  heaven,  from  the  throne, 
faying,  it  is  done."  Now  the  bufincfs  is  done  for  Satan  and  hi« 
adherents.  Waen  this  vidlory  is  obtained,  all  is  in  cffed  done. 
Satan's  l:fl  and  grea^eft  oppoiition  is  conquered  ;  all  his  meafurci 
are  defeated  ;  :he  pl^igrs  of  hii  kingdom  broken  afunder,  and  will 
fall  of  C3urfe.  The  devil  is  utterly  b siBcd  and  confounded,  and 
knows  not  what  elfc  to  do.  He  now  fees  hif  Antichiiftiao,  and 
Mihomctan,  and  tisathcn^fh  kingdoms  through  the  world,  all 
tumbling  about  his  e^«'s.  He  and  his  mofb  powerful  instruments 
are  taken  captive.  Now  that  is  in  effect  done  which  the  church 
of  God  had  been  fo  long  waiting  and  hoping  for,  and  fo  earneilly 
crying  to  God  for,  faying,  *'  How  long,  O  Lord,  holy  and 
true  ?"  now  the  time  is  come* 

The  a»gcl  who  fsl  his  right  foot  on  the  fea,  and  his  left  foot 
on  the  earth,  lift  up  iiis  hand  to  heaven,  andfwore  by  him  that 
livcth  forever  and  ever,  who  created  heaven,  and  all  things  that 
therein  are,  and  the  csrih,  and  the  things  that  therein  are,  and 
the  fea,  and  the  things- which  are  therein,  that  when  the  fev»?nth 
angel  fhould  come  to. found,  the  time  fliould  be  no  longer.  Now 
the  time  is  come  ;  now  the  fevcnth  trumpet  founds,  and  the  fe- 
▼enth  vial  is  poured  out,  both  together  ;  intimating,  that  now  all 
if  fiai&ed  ai  to  the  overthrow  of  Satin's  vifibk  kingdom  on  earth. 
This  vidory  (U^M  be  by  far  the  greate»1  that  ever  was  obtained 
over  Satan  and  bis  adherents.  By  this  bIow»  wiih  which  the  flone 
cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  h^nds,  flnSl  ftn'ke  the  image  of 
gold,  and  filver,  and  brafs,  and  iron,  acd  clay,  it  ib;4il  aii  be 
broken  to  pieces.  This  will  be  a  fin-ihing  blow  to  the  image,  fo 
that  it  (hail  become  as  the  ch&ff  of  'he  fuaimcr  thrcfhing  floor. 

1q  this  victory  will  be  a  mufi  glorious  d/fplay  of  divine  power, 
Chi-if^  (haU  therein  appear  in  the  chirac»T  of  King  of  kings,  and 
Lord  of  lords,  as  in  Rev.  xix,  i6r     Now  Cbril't  (hall  dafn  his 

e&eaaict. 


«54  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  o£ 

enemies,  even  the  ftrongcft  and  proudcfl  of  them,  in  pieces  ;  £i« 
pott-r's  vcfTcl  (hall  they  be  broken  to  Olivers.  Then  fhali  Strength 
be  (hjwn  out  o/  wcakacfs,  and  Chrift  fhsll  caufc  hh  church  as  is 
were  to  rh-elh  thernjuntalnsas  in  If.  x'u  t^:  •*  Behold,  I  will 
m:^ke  rhce  anew  iharp  threffcing-inftrument  having  teeth?  thou 
fh^It  ihrrOi  the  mountains,  and  beat  tbcm  fnT^l!,  and  (lialt  msktf 
ihc  hills  as  ch.ff/'  Then  itall  be  fu:fi:!cithat  in  If.x'ii,  13  14  15. 

4  Cjnfcqucnt  on  this  vilory,  Satan's  vifible  kingdom  oa 
earth  ihW  bcdeftroyed.  W:.en  S«itan  is  cci  quercd  in  ihis  hi{  bat- 
tle, tHe  church  of  Chrift  will  hav:  eafy  work  of  it  ;  as  whin  Jo- 
ihji  M  the  chiHrsn  of  ItVad  had  obtained  mat  g.cat  viaory  over 
the  five  k  ngs  of  the  Amoritcs,  when  the  fun  ftood  ftiW,  and  God 
fcnt  grc-st  haii-f^or.Gii  on  Jheir  ftnemiss,  they  after  that  went  ffoni 
one  city  to  mother,  and  burnt  them  with  fire :  ihcy  had  cafy 
^urk  of  fubduing  the  citiei  and  country  to  which  ihc)  belonged* 
Sait  was  a'fo  after  thst  other  g-eat  b-ttlc  ihat  Joihm  had  witb 
that  great  mnhitude  at  the  praters  of  Mcrod.  So  after  this  glo- 
riom  vidnry  of  Christ  md  hts  church  ever  their  cnemiv?,  over  the 
thief  powers  of  Satan's  kingdciH,  ihcy  fhall  deftfoy  that  kingdoiri 
and  all  thole  cilia's  and  coimiries  to  which  they  belonged.  After 
this  the  word  of  G^d  Ahnll  ha^e  a  fpecdy  and  fwift  progref*  ihrough 
the  eaith  ;  .is  it  is  faid,lhat  on  the  flouring  out  of  the  fcvcnth  vial, 
the  cities  of  the  nations  fell,  and  every  ifland  ficd  away^  ind 
the  naountains  were  not  found,"  Rev.  xvi.  19  20.  When  once 
the  ftone  cut  out  of  the  tUouataia  without  hands  had  broken  the 
im^gc  in  pieces,  it  was  eafy  to  abolifh  all  remains  of  it.  The  very 
Vfind  will  carry  it  away  ai  the  chsfFof  the  fummsr  thrcfliing  floor. 
Becaufc  Sitaa's  vifible  klngdono  on  earth  (hall  now  be  deftroycd, 
therefore  It  is  faid,  that  the  fcventh  vial,  by  which  this  (hall  be  done, 
ihall  be  poured  out  into  the  air  ;  which  is  reprcfentedin  fcripture 
as  the  fpecial  feat  of  his  kingdom  ;  for  he  is  called  the  pn'ncs  of  the 
power  of  the  air,  Eph.  ii,  2.  Now  is  come  the  time  of  punlfhing 
Leviathan,  that  piercing  ferpent,  of  which  we  read  in  If.  xxvii,  r. 
*'  In  that  day  the  Lord  with  hit  fore  and  great  and  ftrong  firord, 
fliall  punifii  Leviathan  the  piercing  ferpent,  even  Leviathan,  that 
crooked  ferpent,   and  he  (hall  flay  the  dragon  that  is  in  the  fca," 

Concerning  this  overthrow  of  Satan's  vifrbTe  kingdom  on  earth, 
I  would,  I.  Show  wherein  this  overthrow  of  Satan's  v^fible  king- 
dom will  chiefly  confiil  ;  2.  The  extent  and  univcrfality  of  thii 
overthrow. 

I  I  would  (how  wherein  this  overthrow  of  Satan's  kingdom  will 
chi''fly  cor  fill.  I  (hall  mention  the  particular  things  in  which  it 
will  c;;rjfift,  without  pretending  to  determine  in  what  order  thcy 
ihall  come  to  pafs,  or  which  fh  II  be  accompliihcd  firfi,  or  whether 
they  (hill  be  accomplilhed  together. 

(i)  Kcrefics,  and  infidelity,  and  fuperflitiofi,  among  thofe  whoi 

have 


th2  Work  of    REDEMPTION.  t;$ 

have  been  brought  up  under  the  light  of  the  eafpii,  wiii  then  be  a- 
boliibcd,  l>x.i  there  \til5  be  an  end  lo  Sainiau^fm,  ma  A  la- 
nifm,  and  Qur.kcrifm,  and  A'minianliui  ;  unc  DtUn,  "br;.  It 
DO>y  fo  bold  aad  confident  in  ittfidility,  fhill  then  be  citlhc  J,  «^nd 
driven  away^,  and  v^.nilli  tonoihing  ;  and  all  (hall  zg-ee  in  the  fame 
great  and  important  doiirincs  of  rhc  gofpei  ;  '^gi-tkHa  to  irr,  ia 
Zcch,  xiv.  9.  '*  And  ihc  Lord  ihail  be  kiijg  over  all  -.c  catsh  ;  ia 
that  day  (ball  ihctebo  ovm  Loid,  aad  hi«  name  01  c."  Ihc.  (iuil 
be  abolifhcd  all  fupcrftitiou^  ways  of  worfb.p,  and  -L  (h^ll  ^gfcc 
in  wci {hipping  God  in  his  own  w:iyi  :  Jer.  xjtxii  39  •*  A..d  I 
willgive  them  one  heart,  and  one  wsy,  th  tiLcy  m^y  fear  me 
for  ever,  for  the  good  of  thcm«  and  of  their  cmldrcn  aflcc 
them  " 

(2)  The  kingdom  of  Antichrift  (hall  be  utterly  overthrown* 
Hij  kingdom  and  dominfon  has  been  much  brought  down  already 
by  the  vial  poured  out  on  bis  throne  in  ihr  Reform? t ion  ;  but  then 
it  (hail  be  utterly  deftroyed.  Then  (b^ll  be  proclaimed,  *'  Baby- 
lon is  fallen,  is  fallen."  When  the  fevenih  angel  found*,  **  the 
time,  timci  and  half,  fliall  be  out,  and  the  time  faall  be  no  'origer.'* 
Then  (hall  be  accomplilhcd  concerning  Antichrift  the  things  whiclr 
arc  written  ia  the  i8  h  chapter  ofRevelation  of  the  fplritu^l  B^by-^ 
Ion,  that  great  city  Rome,  or.ihe  idolatroui  Roman  goveinmcnr^ 
that  has  for  fo  many  ages  been  the  great  enemy  of  the  Chriftiaa 
church,  6rfl  under  Hcathenifm,  then  under  Popery  ;  ihat  proud 
city  which  lifted  herfclf  up  to  heaven,  and  above  God  himfclf  ia 
her  piide  and  haughtincfs ;  that  cruel,  bloody  city,(hall  comedown 
to  the  ground.  Then  Ihall  that  be  fulfilled.  If.  xxvi,  5.  "  For  he 
brlngcth  down  them  that  dwell  on  high,  the  lofty  city  he  layeth  it 
low,  he  layeth  it  low,  even  to  the  ground,  he  bringeih  it  even 
to  the  duft."  She  (hall  be  thrown  down  wiih  violence,  like  a 
great  milftonc  ca*^  into  the  fca,  and  (hall  be  found  no  more  at  all, 
and  (hall  become  an  habitation  of  devils,  and  the  hold  of  every 
foul  fpifit,  and  a  cage  of  every  unclean  and  hatcfi^l  bird."  Now 
fii^ll  (hs  be  Gripped  of  all  her  glory,  and  riches,  and  ornaments, 
and  (hall  be  caft  out  as  an  abominable  branch,  and  Ihill  be  trodea 
dawn  as  the  mire  of  the  (Greets.  All  her  policy  and  craft,  in  whicK 
ihc  fo  abounded,  (hall  not  faveher.  God  (hall  make  his  people, 
who  have  been  (o  psrfccutcd  by  her,  to  come  and  put  their  foot 
on  the  neck  of  of  Anlichri(t,  and  he  (hall  be  their  footOooI.  All 
the  (^rength  and  wifdom  of  this  great  whore  (hall  fail  her,  and 
there  (hill  be  none  to  help  her.  The  kings  of  the  earth,  who  be- 
fore gave  their  power  and  ftrength  to  the  beaft,  (hall  now  hale  the 

,  whore,  and  (hall  make  her  defolatc  and  naked,  and  (hall  eat  hcf 
flc(h,  and  burn  her  with  fire,  Rsv.  xvii.  16. 

(3)  That  other  great  kingdom  which  Sitan  has  fct  up  in  oppo« 

I  i  fition 


iS^  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

fin'on  to  the  Chfiftian  church,  vix.  his  Mahometan  kingdom,  A»tt 
be  utterly  ovcrlhrovrn.  Tne  locuf^»  and  horfcmcn  in  the  gih  of 
Xrvelalion,  have  iheff  appointed  and  limited  time  fct  them  there, 
and  the  falfc  prophet  ik^W  be  taken  and  deltroycd>  And  then,  tho' 
l^4ahoanctanifm  has  been  fo  vafiiy  prop^jgated  in  the  world,  and  ii 
upheld  by  fuch  a  great  ctnpifc^  this  fmoke,  which  has  afccnded  out 
Qf  the  bottomlcfs  pit,  (hail  be  utterly  fcattercd  before  the  light  o( 
that  glorious  day,  and  the  Mahometan  empire  (hall  fall  at  ths 
found  of  the  great  trumpet  which  (hall  then  be  blown. 

(4)     J«wiili  infidelity  (hall  then  be  overthrown.     However  ofa- 
fiinate   they  have  been  now  for  above  1700  years  in  their  rejefti- 
on  of  Cbrift,  afid  inftancci  of  the  converfion  of  any  ai  that  nation 
have  been  fo  vzry  rare  ever  fince  the  dsftrudion  of  Jsrufalcm,   but 
they  have,  againft  the  plain  teachings  of  their  own   prophets,  con- 
tinued to  approve  of  the  cruelty  of  iheir  forefathers  in  ctccifying 
Chrift  ;  ^et  when  this  day  comes,  the  thick  vail  that  blindi  their 
eyes  (hail  be  reasioved,  aCor.  iii*  16-  ;  and  divine  grace  (hall  melt 
and  renew  their  hard  hearts,    "  and  they  (hall  look  on  him  whomi 
they  have  pierced,  and  ihsy  (hall  mourn  for  him,  as  one  mourneih 
for  his  only  f on, and  (hall  be  in  biiiernefs  as  one  that  is  in  bixtevncfs 
for  his  (irfl  born,"  Z-ch.  xii.  10.  &c.      Th<:n  (hall  the   houfe  of 
Ifrael  be  faved  ^  the  Jews  in  all  their  difpenfations  fhall  cad  away 
their  old  infidelity,  aad  (hall  wonderfully  have  their   hearts  chan- 
ged, and  abhor  themfclvcs  for  their  paft  unbelief  and   obftinacy  ; 
and  (haU  flow  together  to  the  blelfed  Jcfus, penitently,  humbly,  and 
joyfully  owning  him  as  their  glorious  King  and  only  Saviour,  and 
(hall  with  all  tbeir  hearts,  as  with  one  heart  and  Voice,  declare   hit 
praife  unto  other  nations. 

Nothing  is  more  certainly  foretold  then  this  national  converfion 
of  the  Jews  is  in  the  I  tth  chapter  of  Romans.  And  there  are  alfo 
many  paiTages  of  the  O-d  Tefttmcnt  which  cannot  be  interpreted 
in  any  other  fenfe,  which  I  cannot  now  ftand  to  mention.  Sefidec 
fbe  prophecies  of  the  calling  of  the  Jews,  we  have  a  remarkable 
feal  of  the  fulfilment  of  this  great  event  in  providence,  by  a  thing 
which  is  akiad  of  continuil  miracle,  viz  their  being  prefervcd  a 
dfftitidt  nation  in  fuch  a  difpcrfed  condition  for  above  1600  years. 
The  world  affords  nothing  clfe  like  it.  There  is  undoubtedly  a 
fcmarknblc  hand  of  providence  in  it;  When  they  (hall  be  called, 
then  (hall  that  ancient  people,  that  were  alone  God's  people  for  fo 
long  a  titfje,  be  Grid's  people  again,  never  to  be  rcjc^cd  more  s 
they  (hall  then  be  gathered  irto  one  fold  together  with  the  Gen- 
tiles ;  and  fo  alfo  Ihsll  the  remains  of  the  ten  tribes,  wherever  thejr 
be,  and  though  they  have  been  rejected  much  longer  than  the  Jews, 
be  brought  in  with  their  brethren  the  jews.  The  prophecies  of 
Hdf^a  €ff  ecially  fecm  to  bold  this  fonb^  that  la  the  future  glorious 

timet 


the  WoTk  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  297 

timci'of  the  church,  both  Jidah  and  Ephraixn,  or  Judah  and  the 
ten  tribei,  ihili  be  Dtought  in  logethcr,  and  (hail  be  united  as  one 
peopU,  ai  they  iormeily  vrerc  unde^  D.ivid  and  Solomon  ;  a»  Hof. 
i.  II.  ;  and  fo  in  the  UH  diapter  of  Hofea^  and  other  parts  of 
bis  prophecy. 

Though  wc  do  not  know  the  time  in  which  "this  'coaverfion  of 
the  nation  o^  Ifrael  will  conae  to  paf«  ;  yet  thus  much  we  may  de- 
termine by  fcfipiurc,  that  it  will  be  before  the  g'ory  of  the  GeotiJ9 
part  of  the  church  ffaall  be  fully  accompli&ed  ;  becaufe  it  h  faid« 
that  their  coming  in  ihall  be  life  from  the  dead  to  the  Gentiies, 
Rom.  xi.    12.  15. 

( j)  Then  (hall  alfo  Satan's  Hcathenifh  kingdom  be  overtbrowi^, 
Grof»  Heathenifm  now  pciTcflcs  a  great  part  of  the  earth,  and  tlsera 
are  fuppofed  to  be  more  heathens  now  in  the  world,  than  of  all 
other  profeffions  l^ken  together,  J<JW8,Mshomctans,  or  Chriftians. 
But  then  the  Heathen  nations  (hall  be  ciiiighttned  with  the  glorious 
gofpel.  There  will  be  a  wonderful  fpirit  of  pity  towards  them, 
and  seal  for  their  inftruftion  and  convcrfion  put  into  muhitadcj,3nd 
many  (ball  go  forth  and  carry  the  gofpel  unto  them  ;  and  then  £ball 
the  joyful  found  be  heard  among  them,  and  the  Sun  of  righieoufncfs 
fhati  then  arife  with  his  gloric^js  light  (bining  00  thoft^  many  vad 
regions  of  theeanh  that  have  been  covered  wiih  Hcathcnifh  dark- 
ncfs  for  many  thoufand  yesfs,  many  of  them  doublefs  ever  fincc 
the  times  of  Mofes  and  Abraham,  and  have  lain  thus  long 
in  a  mifcrable  condition,  under  the  cruel  tyranny  of  the  d«« 
vil,  who  has  aU  this  while  blinded  and  befookd  them,  and  domi- 
neered over  them,  and  made  a  prey  of  them  from  generation  to  ge* 
neration.  Now  the  glad  tiding*  ol  the  gofpel  (ball  found  there, 
and  they  (ball  be  brought  out  of  darkncfi  into  marvellous  light. 

It  is  promifed,  that  Hcatbcnilm  (bsR  thus  be  def^roycd  in  many 
places.  God  has  faid.  That  the  ^ods  that  have  not  made  thefe 
heavens  and  tht«  carsh,  (hall  periib  from  ♦He  earth,  and  from  under 
the fe  heavens,  Jer  x.  11.  and  tha:  he  wni  utterly  abolifb  idolj. 
If*  ii.  18— Then  (ball  the  m^ny  n»tion»  ot  AfnC3,  the  nsticns  cf 
uegroes,  and  other  Heathens  who  chiefly  fill  that  quarter  of  the 
world,  who  now  feem  to  be  in  a  ftate  but  lit:!e  above  the  bcafif, 
and  in  many  refpeds  much  below  them,  be  enlightened  with  glo« 
rious  light,  and  delivered  from  all  their  daikncfs,  and  (ball  beo  ^le 
a  civil,Chri(iian,  undcr(\anding,  and  holy  pecple.  Then  flidll  the 
▼aA  continent  of  America,  which  now  in  fo  great  a  part  of  it  is 
covered  with  barbarous  ignorance  and  cruelty,  be  every  where 
•overed  with  glorious  gofpel-ligbt  and  Chrifaan  love  ;  and  inftead 
mi  worfbipping  the  devil,a8  now  they  do,  they  (ball  fcrvcCrod,  and 
praifei  (ball  b«  fung  every  where  to  the  Lord  Jcfus  Chrift  rb« 
iblcfied  Sivioitfof  the  world.  So  may  ire  esped  a  will  be  in  tboi 
greac 


258  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

great  and  populous  part  of  the  world,  the  E^AIndici,  which  are 
now  mrjJuy 'nhablrcd  by  the  worlhippcrs  of  the  devil;  and  fo 
througi.oul  i^hc  r  vart  counfy  ^rcat  Tartary,  and  .hen  the  kingdom 
ofChfiftwili  be  diabli'ilitd  in  thoic  continents  which  have  been 
more  lately  r^ifcovcred  towards  the  north  and  fouth  poles,  where 
now  msn  dllfer  very  lat^c  from  the  wild  bcafts,  cxceptinj^  ihat 
thw  wcrfhip  riic  devil,  and  Dcafti  do  not.  The  JgcDC  will  be 
the  cslc  with  rcfpcC^  to  tbofe  countries  vshich  hsve  never  yn  been 
dif'ovcfcd.  Thus  will  be  gbrioufly  fulfilled  thrii  in  If.  xxxv.  i; 
♦'  The  wildcrritf*  ;ind  ^he  ioliury  place  i^aW  be  $lad  for  tbem  : 
and  the  defer-,  iball  rejoice,  and  bkiTjai  as  the  rofe."  bi.c  alfo 
vcrf.  6.  7. 

2.  Hav'ni^tbu?  faown  wherein  thi«i  overlhrovy  of  SaUn*«  kingdom 
will  confift,  I  covnQ  no*  to  t^e  thing  tobci  obfnrv':;;^  concerninR  it, 
▼!z.  ili  univerf  I  extrnt.  t^c  vUhlc  ktr-gdotn  of  Satin  fiiall  be 
ovcrlhrovifn,  and  the  kingdcm  cf  Chrift  fct  up  on  »hc  ruins  of  It, 
every  where  throng  out  the  whole  habitable  globe.  Now  flj.-?U  tbc 
promifc  made  to  Abrah-^ai  bs  fulfilkd,  That  '•  in  him  and  in  bis 
fee'  (h'.U  »H  the  families  of  the  cdrth  be  bleifcd  ;"  and  Chrift 
now  fh.ili  b*oom«i  th'^  c'efi.e  of  ^W  naMons^sgreeable  toHaggai  ii.7. 
No*  the  kitfgJom  of  Chrifl  ihAi  iiJ^ihe  moft  ftrid  and  littT^I  fenfe 
be  extended  to -all  nations,  and  the  whole  earth.  There  are  many 
p  aff.ges  of  fcripture  that  can  be  underftood  in  no  other  fcnfc.  What 
c.^n  be  m-jre  univcrfal  than  that  in  if,  x\,  9.  **  For  the  earth  fhall 
be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  ibe  waters  cover  the  fca.*' 
As  much  as  to  fay,  As  there  is  no  part  of  the  channel  or  cavity  of 
the  fca  any  where,  but  what  is  covered  with  water  ;  fo  there  (hall 
be  no  part  of  the  world  of  mankind  but  what  fhall  be  covered  with 
the  knowledge  of  Gnd,  So  it  is  foretold  in  If.xlv.  22.  that  all  the 
ends  of  the  earth  ffeall  look  to  Chrift,  and  be  favcd.  To  (how  that 
the  vTords  arc  to  underftood  in  the  moft  univcrfal  fcnfc,  it  is  faid 
in  the  next  vcrfe,  **  I  have  fworn  by  myfelf,  the  word  is  gone 
out  of  my  mouth  in  rightcoufnefs,  and  (hall  not  return,  that  unlO 
xne  every  knee  (ball  bow,  every  tongue  fhall  fwear.'" 

S  J  the  moft  universal  expreffion  is  ufed,  Dan.  vii.  27.  "  And 
the  kingdom  and  dominion,  and  the  greatncfs  of  the  kingdom  undef 
the  whole  heaven,  (hall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  faints  of  the 
Moft  High  God."  You  fee  the  cxprcllioii  includes  a// under  the 
'whole   heaven. 

Waea  the  devil  was  caft  out  of  the  Rotsto  empire,  becaufe  that 
was  the  highcft  and  principal  part  of  the  woild,  and  the  other 
nations  thac  were  left  were  low  and  mean  in  comparifon  of  thofe 
of  that  empire,  it  was  reprcfcnted  as  Satan  being  cai!  out  of  heavea 
to  the  earth.  Rev.  xii,  9  ;  but  it  is  rcprefented  that  he  fhall  be  c^fk 
guK  of  the  earkb  tooi  and  (but  up  in  bellj  Kcv.  xx*  1 .  s*  5-— -^ 

This 


the  Work  of   R  E  DE  M  P  T  I  O  N.  3.5^ 

This  Is  the  greatcft  revolution  by  far  that  ever  came  to  pafi :  there- 
iots  it  is  faid  in  Rev.  16  17.  18.  **  That  on  the  pouring  out  of  the 
fevenih  viat,  there  was  a  great  earthquake,  fuch  ai  wras  aoi  fince 
men  were  upon  canh,  fo  mighty  an  earthquake  ^nd  fo  great.  This 
is  the  third  great  difpcnfation  of  providence  «vhich  i»  in  ftripiurc 
coojparcd  toChrift's  comi'^g  to  judgement  So  it  i»  i^R-v.xvi,  i^. 
Tnere,  after  the  fixth  vial,  and  after  the  devil's  armiei  were  gather- 
ed together  to  their  great  batle,  and  juf>  before  Chrifi'i  g^u  ioui 
vidory  over  them,  it  is  faid,  '*  Beholn  I  crmc  qiicklv  ;  bMTed  is 
he  that  watchcih,  and  kcepeih  hi»garmcnti."  So  ii  i»  caUcCi  Ckrifi^ 
coming  in  2  Thef.  i^.  8.  SpCakiog  oi  Anlichrirl,  it  »« laid,  "And 
then  (hall  ihat  wicked  be  revealed,  whom  the  Lord  (h^U  con  fume 
with  the  fpifit  of  his  moo'h,  and  fb^ll  deflroy  with  the  brighioeff 
of  his  coming,"  8ce  alfo  Dan.  vii.  13.  14  where  Chrift'*  coming 
to  fet  up  his  kingdom  on  earth,  asd  to  dcflroy  Antichrift,  is  called 
toith  clouds  ef  heav(n»  And  this  is  more  like  Chrift'i  laft  coming 
to  judgement,  than  any  of  the  preceding  difpcnfalions  which  arc 
fo  called,  on  thefe  accounts. 

(i)  That  the  difpenfation  is  fo  much  greater  and  more  univer- 
fal,  and  fo  more  like  the  day  of  judgeocent,  which  refpedts  the 
whole  world, 

(2)  On  account  of  the  great  fpiritual  refurrcdlioa  there  will  be 
of  the  church  of  God  accompanying  it,  more  rcfcmbling  the  ge- 
neral refurredion  at  the  end  of  the  world  ihan  any  other.  This 
fpiritual  refurrcdion,  is  the  refurrcdlion  fpokcn  of  as  attended 
with  judgement.  Rev.  xx,  4.' 

(3)  Bccaufe  of  the  terrible  judgements  and  fearful  deilru(^ioa 
which  (hall  now  be  executed  o-.^  God's  enemies.  There  will  doubt- 
Icfs  at  the  introducing  of  this  difpenfation  be  a  vifible  and  awfu| 
band  of  God  againft  blafphemers,  Dcifti,  and  obftinatc  heretics, 
and  other  enemies  of  Chrift,  terribly  dcrtroying  them,  with  re- 
xparkablc  tokens  of  wrath  and  vengeance  ;  and  cfpecially  will  this 
difpenf-Uion  be  attended  with  terrible  judgements  on  Atiiichrift  ; 
and  the  crutl  perfecutors  who  belong  to  the  church  of  Rome,  [fhail 
ia  a  moft  awful  manner  be  deftroycd;  which  is  compared  to  a  caft- 
ing  of,  Aniichrift  into  the  burning  flime.  Din.  vii.  ii.  and  to 
Gaining  him  alive  into  the  lake  that  burns  with  fire  and  brimllone* 
Rev.  3cix.  20. 

Then  (ball  this  cruel  perfecuting  church  fufler  thofe  judgements 
from  God,  which  (hall  be  far  more  dreadful  than  her  cruclefk 
perfecutions  of  the  faints,  agreeable  to  Rev.  xviii.  6'  y.  ■  . 
The  judgements  which  God  (hall  execute  on  the  enemies  of  the 
churcb,  arc  fo  great,  that  they  are  compared  1)  God's  fending 
great  bail  -ftones  from  heaven  upon  them,  eve/y  one  of  the  weight 
of  4  tJ^CDti  48  it  is  faiij  oa  the  pouriog  out  of   the  icrentb  vial« 


#6<t  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  y    of 

Rcr.  icri.  2I»  "  And  their  fell  upon  men  s  great  hail  out  of 
heaven,  every  ftonc  about  the  weight  of  a  talent  ;  aod  men  blapbc- 
mcd  Gad,  bscaufc  of  the  plague  of  the  hail  j  for  the  plague  thereof 
WJS  exceeding  great."  Now  ftiall  be  that  treading  of  ihc  wiDC-prcfi 
fpckcn  of,  Rsv.  xtv.  19    20. 

(4)  This  Ihall  put  au  end  to  the  church's  fufTcriDg  i^ate,  and 
diaii  be  attended  with  their  glorious  and  joyful  praifcs.  Ihe 
cburch'fc  jffl'Cled  ftatc  18  long,  being  continued,  excepting  fomg 
f\^ort  inter  mi  ffioni,  from  the  refurrc<flior  of  Chrift  10  this  time 
But  tsow  (b/iU  a  fiijal  end  he  put  to  her  fuffering  ftate.  Indeed  af- 
ter this  near  the  end  of  the  world,  ibe  church  (hsill  be  greatly 
threatened  ;  but  it  ii  faid,  it  ftiall  be  but  for  a  Httic  feafon,  Rcv^ 
XX  3  :  for  as  the  limes  ol  tb«  church'*  rcl^  arc  but  ftiort,  bcforg 
the  long  day  of  her  af^i(f^ion«  are  at  an  end  :  (0  whatever  afflidi- 
on  fhc  may  fufTer  after  thh,  it  vriii  be  very  fhort  ;  but  otherwife  the 
d^y  of  thcchurch'j  afflidionand  pcrfccution  Ihallnow  come  to  a 
final  ccd.  The  fcripm^ei,  in  msny  places,  fpcali.  of  this  tiqjc  as 
the  end  of  ihc  fuifcring  ftate  of  the  church.  So  If.  li.  22.  God  faya 
to  his  church  with  rcfpeft  to  this  time,  •*  Behold,  I  have  taken  out 
of  thine  hand  the  cup  of  trembling,  even  the  dregs  of  the  cup  of  my 
fury,ihou  fbalt  no  more  drink  it  again,"  Then  ih&\\  ehat  be  proclaim- 
ed to  th«  cbu: ch.  If.  xt  1 .  2.  **  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my  people^ 
faiih  your  God.  Speak  ye  comfortably  to  Jcrufalcm,  and  cry  unto 
hcr,that  her  warfare  is  iccomplifhcd,  that  her  iniquity  is  pardoned : 
for  (be  hath  received  of  the  Lord's  h<itid  double  for  all  her  fins." 
Alfo  that  in  If.  liv  8  9  belongs  to  this  time.  And  lo  that  in  If. 
Ix.  20.  "  The  Lord  fhall  be  thine  everlafting  light,  and  the  dayg 
of  thy  mourning  (I^all  be  ended."  And  lo  Zcph  iii.  I  j.  "  Tiic 
Lord  hath  taken  away  thy  judgements,  and  hath  caf^  out  thine  ene- 
my :  the  King  of  Ifrael,  even  the  Lord,  ii  in  the  midft  of  .tUce  t 
thou  fhalt  not  fee  evil  any  more." 

The  time  which  had  been  before  this,  had  been  the  church's  fow- 
ing-timc.  wherein  fhc  fowed  in  tears  and  in  blood  ;  but  now  is  her 
barvcft,  wherein  fhc  will  come  again  rejoicijig,  bringing  her  (heaves 
with  her.  Now  the  time  of  the  travtil  of  the  woman  clothed  with 
the  fun  is  at  an  end  :  now  Ihe  hath  brought  forth  her  fon  5  for  thi, 
glorious  fetting  up  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  through  the  world,  i, 
what  the  church  had  been  in  travail  for,  with  fuch  terrible  pangf 
for  fo  many  ages  :  If.  xxvi.  17'  **  Like  as  a  woman  with  child 
drawcJh  near  the  time  of  her  delivery,  b  in  pain,  and  crieth  out  ia 
ber  pangs ;  fo  have  we  been  in  thy  %ht,  O  Lord''  See  If.  Ix  20; 
and  Ixi,  10.  11. —-And  now  the  church  fhail  forget  her 
forrow,  fincc  a  m<inchild  is  born  into  the  world  ;  now  fuccccd  her 
joyful  praife  and  triumph.    Her  praifei  ihall  tbco  go  up  to  God 

ftom 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  10  N,  z6i 

Irom  all  pi rN  of  the  earth  ;  as  If:  xlii  lo.  ii.  12.  And  praife 
{^A\  not  only  fi!l  the  earth,  but  alfo  heaven.  The  church  on  earth* 
and  the  church  in  heaven,  (hall  both  glorioufly  rejoice  and  praife 
God,  ai  with  one  heart,  on  that  occafion.  Without  doubt  it  will 
be  a  time  of  very  di/linguifhed  joy  and  praife  atnong  the  holy 
prophet!  and  apoAlcs,  and  the  other  faints  in  heaven  :  Rev.  xviiit 
so.  "  Rejoice  over  her,  thou  heaven,  and  yt  holy  apoAles  and 
prophets,  for  God  hath  avenged  you  on  her."  See  howr  univcrfal 
ihefe  praifcs  will  be  in  If  xUv.  fj,  "  Sing,  O  ye  heavens,  for 
the  Lord  hath  done  it :  fhout,  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth  :  break 
forth  Into  fiDgl&g,  yft  mountains,  O  foreO:,  and  every  tree  thereini 
for  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  Jacob,  and  glorified  hioifelf  in  Ifracl/' 
Set  what  joyful  praifes  are  fung  to  God  on  this  occafion  by  the  unl- 
verfal  church  in  heaven  and  earth,  in  the  beginning  of  the  jgth 
chapter  of  Revelation. 

(0  This  difpcnfation  is  above  all  preceding  ones  like  Chrift't 
coming  to  judgement,  in  that  it  fo  puts  an  end  to  the  former  Aate 
of  the  world,  and  introduces  the  everlafling  kingdom  of  Chrift* 
Now  Satan's  vifible  kiagdom  fhall  be  overthrown,  after  it  had  ftoodl 
ever  fiace  the  building  of  Babel  ;  and  the  old  heavens  and  the  old 
c&rtb  (hall  in  a  greater  meafure  be  pafl'ed  away  then  than  before^ 
and  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth  fet  up  in  a  far  tnore  glori* 
ous  manner  than  ever  before. 

Txvs  I  have  fbown  how  the  fuccefs  of  Chrifl's  purebafe  hag 
been  carried  on  through  the  times  of  the  afBi^ed  date  of  the  Chrif* 
tian  cbarch,  from  Chrifl's  refurredlion,  till  Antichrift  is  fallen,  aad 
Satan's  vifible  kingdom  on  earth  h  overthrown.*— ——Therefote  I 
come  now. 

Secondly,  To  Ikow  how  the  fuccefs  of  redemption  will  be 
carried  on  through  that  fpaee  wherein  the  Chriftian  church  (hall  for 
the  mo  A  part  be  in  a  dztc  of  peace  and  profperity.  In  order  to 
this,  !  would, 

1 .  Speak  of  the  profperous  ftatc  of  the  church  through  the  greater 
part  of  this  period. 

2.  Of  the  great  apoftafy  there  iliall  be  to»^ards  the  clofe  of 
it :  how  greatly  then  the  church  (hall  be  threatened  by  her  enenies 
for  a  (hort  time. 

L  1  would  fpeak  of  the  profperous  i^ate  of  the  church  through 
the  greater  part  of  thu  period.  In  doing  this,  I  would,  I.  Dc. 
fcribe  this  profperous  flate  of  the  church  ;  2.  Say  fomething  of  itt 
duration. 

ijf,  I  would  defcribe  the  profperous  ftate  the  churth  ft>all  be  in* 

In  the  general,  I  would  obferve  two  things. 

I.  That  this  is  mo()  properly  the  time  of  the  kingdom  of  hea' 
Ten  upoa  earth.    Though  the  kingdom  of  bcayen  was  in  a  degree 

fet 


t6a  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    o! 

ftt  up  foon  after  Ghrift'i  refurre<flion,  and  in  a  further  degree  fa 
the  lime  of  Conftanlinc  ;  and  though  the  ChriHian  cljurch  in  all 
sgei  of  it  hca\\&3itkg  h'ngdom  of  heavtn  ;  yci  this  time  that  wc 
arc  upon,  is  the  principal  time  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  upon 
earth,  the  time  principally  intended  by  the  piopheciei  of  D  nicl, 
which  fpeak  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  whence  the  Jews  took  ihc 
name  of  tks  kingdom  of  ktaven 

z.  Now  is  the  principal  fulfilmcat  of  all  the  prophecies  of  the 
Old  Tcftament  which  fpcak  of  the  glorious  times  of  the  gofpel 
which  iliall  be  io  thelarter  d-*ys.  Though  there  has  been  a  glori- 
oua  fultilmcnl  of  thofe  prophecies  alrcadv,iatheUmcB  of  the  apoft.es, 
and  of  Conflantine  ;  yet  the  expreflions  are  too  high  to  fiit  any  o- 
thcr  time  entirely,  but  that  which  is  to  fuccced  the  fall  of  Anlichr  ift# 
This  13  mofl  properly  the  glorious  day  o(  the  gofpel  Oihe^  llmci 
are  only  'orf  runners  snd  preparatories  to  this  :  other  lime*  were 
the  feud- iime,  but  this  is  the  haiveft  ——But  more  particularly, 
(i)  It  will  be  a  lime  of  great  light  and  knowledge.  The  pse- 
♦fcnt  dayi  arc  days  of  darkncfs;  in  comparifo^.  cf  ihofc  days.  The 
light  of  that  glorious  time  th^U  bz  fo  great,  thn  U  U  reprefcntcd 
as  though  there  fV»ouM  then  be  no  night,  but  only  day  ;  no  evening 
aor  darkncfs.  *ScZ::ch»  xiv.  6  7.  '•  And  it  flbaiicome  to  pafs 
in  that  day,  that  llit  light  ft\all  not  be  cl?ar,  nor  dask.  But  si  (hall 
be  one  day,  which  {hall  bs  known  to  the  Lord,  not  dsy,  nor  night: 
but  it  (hall  come  to  pafs,  that  st  evening  jimc  it  diall  he  light.'* 
—It  is  fu'ther  reprefcnted,  as  though  6od  would  then  give  fuch 
light  to  his  church,  that  it  fhculd  fo  much  exceed  ibe  glory  of  the 
light  of  the  fun  and  moon,-  that  they  (hauld  be  siliuacd  :  If.  xsiv, 
23,  •'  Then  the  moon  ihall  be  confounded,  and  the  fua  afhamed, 
when  the  Lord  of  hoils  fhall  reign  in  Mount  Zion,  andifn  Jcrufa- 
lem,  and  before  his  ancients  glo'lo'jfly." 

There  is  a  kind  of  a  vail  now  caft  over  the  greater  part  of  the 
wor1d»  which  keep*,  them  in  darknefi ;  but  then  this  vail  ihall  be  de- 
ftroyed  :  If.  xxv.  7.  **  And  he  will  dcftroy  in  this  mountain  the 
face  of  the  covering  caft  over  all  people,  and  the  vail  that 
is  fpread  out  all  nations."  Then  all  countries  and  nsti* 
ens,  even  thofe  which  are  now  moft  ignorant,  fhall  be  full  of 
light  and  knowledge.  Great  knowledge  diall  prevail  every  where. 
It  may  be  hoped,  that  then  many  of  the  Negroes  and  Indians  will 
be  divines,  and  that  excellent  books  will  be  publiihed  in  Africa, 
in  Ethiopia,  in  Tartary, and  other  new  and  moA  barbarous  countries 
and  not  only  learned  men,  but  others  of  more  ordinary  education, 
fliall  then  be  very  knowing  in  religion  :  If.  xxxii.  3.  4.  •'  The 
eyes  of  them  that  fee,  fhiW  not  be  dim  ;  and  the  ears  of  them  that 
hear,  Ihall  hearken.  The  heart  alfo  of  the  ra(h  (hall  underfland 
knowledge*    Knowledge  shea  ihall  be  yery  unlyerfal  among  all 

foili 


the  Work  of    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  26^ 

forts  of  perfons  ;  agreeable  to  Jcr.  xxxi.  34^  "And  they  ihull 
iesch  no  more  every  man  hit  neighbour,  and  every  man  hii  bro- 
ther, fayiiig,  Knovr  the  Lord  :  for  they  fhall  all  know  me,  from 
the  leall  0/  Ihem  ualo  the  grcsicfi  of  them," 

There  (iall  then  be  a  wonderful  unravelling  of  ifciedifiicutties  In 
Hhc  dcflrmcs  of  rcligicn,anQckAriDgup  of  feeoaing  inconfii^encics: 
•'  So  crooked  things  lliall  be  made  utraight,  and  rou^h  places  (iiall 
be  made  plain,  and  dar knefs  (hail  become  light  before  God'«  peo- 
ple." DifR-uItics  in  fcrrpturc'lhall  then  be  cleared  up,  and  won- 
derful things  ftiall  bedifcovered  in  the  word  of  God,  which  were 
never  difcovercd  before.  The  great  difcovery  of  thofe  thing!  in 
religion  which  had  been  before  k-jpt  hid,  fecrnt  to  be  coirpisrcd  to 
removing  the  vail,  and  I'-fcovcriDg  the  art  of  the  tcfiionony  to  the 
people,  which  before  ufcd  to  be  kept  in  the  fecret  part  of  the  tem- 
ple, and  was  never  feen  by  them.  Thus,  at  the  founding  of  the 
hventh  angel,  when  it  Is  proclaimed,  •'  that  the  kingdoms  of  thi* 
world  are  become  the  kingdom?  of  ou?  Lord  snd  of  bis  Chrift  ;'* 
it  is  added  that  '*  the  temple  of  God  was  opened  in  heaven,  and 
there  was  feen  in  his  temple  the  arkofhis  tcRamcnf."'  Sogre?,t 
fliall  be  the  increafc  of  knowledge  in  this  time,  that  heaven  fhall 
be  as  it  were  opened  to  the  church  of  God  on  earth. 

fi)  h  iliall  be  a  time  of  great  holinefs.  Novy  vital  rcIJg'oQ 
fb^il  every  where  prevail  and  reign.  Religion  itial!  not  be  an 
empty  profeiTioil,  as  it  now  moftly  is,  but  holincfs  of  heart  and 
life  (hall  abandantly  prevail.  Thofe  times  fhnll  be  2n  cscepfion 
from  what  Chrifl  fays  of  the  ordinary  fla'e  of  the  church,  viz.  ih.a^ 
there  (hall  be  but  few  faved  ;  for  now  hblinefs  ftiall  become  genc- 
ya! :  If.  Is.  21.  "  Thy  people  alfo  fnall  be  ail  righteous."  Not 
that  there  will  be  none  remaining  iu  a  Chriftlcfp  condition;  but 
?hst  vsfihle  wickcdnefs  ihsll  be  fupprelT^d  evtfy  where,  v^d  true  ho- 
5inefs  ilijll  becume  general,  though  not  univcrfal.  It  fhsU  be  a 
wonderful  tide,  not  only  for  the  multitude  of  godly  men,  but  for 
cmincncy  of  grace  :  If.  Ixv.  20,  «'  There  ihall  be  no  more  thence 
an  infant  of  day?,  nor  an  old  m.-?n  that  hath  not  filled  bis  dsys  :  for 
t're  child  iiiaJ!  die  an  hundred  years  old,  but  the  finrer  being  nn 
bun^'rcd  ycarjotd,  (iisll  beaccurfed."  And  Zsch.  ili.  8.  "  Hd 
thai  is  feeble  ?:mong  ih?m  nt  that  csy  fh?.ll  be  a?  David  ;  and  the 
houfe  of  Dwid  fiiall  be  as  God,  as  the  pngel  of  the  Lord  before 
tham."  Ko'inefs  flaslltheh  be  ai  it  were  infcribed  on  every  thing, 
en  all  mens  common  bufinefs  and  employments,  and  the  commod 
ulenfilf  of  iife  :  all  ftaali  be  as  it  were  dedicated  to  God,  and  ap- 
plied to  holy  purpofc*  ,  every  thing  (nail  then  be  don«  to  the  glory 
of  God  :  If.  xxiii.  18.  "  And  her  mcrchandife  and  her  hire  fhail 

be  holinefs  to  the  Lord."      And  fo  Zcch.  xlv.   20.  21. -2^ 

God's  people  then  (hall  be  eminent  in  holinefs  of  heart,    fo.t!^ey 
&2li  bz  alfo  £n  holiacfs  of  life  and'pradicr,  M.  k        (3) 


264  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   o£ 

(3)  It  l^^all  be  a  time  wherein  religion  ISiall  ia  every  rtfpc<?5 
be  uppcfmoft  ia  the  world.  It  feall  be  had  in  great  cftccm  and 
honor.  The  faints  have  hitherto  for  the  moft  parr  been  kept  under^ 
and  wicked  seen  have  go^crccd.  But  now  they  will  be  uppermoft. 
The  kingdom  ftiall  be  givaa  into  the  hands  of  the  faint  of  the  Moft 
HighGod,"  Dan.  vii.  27.  **  And  they  12sa!I  re?gn  on  ihc  earth/' 
Rev.  V.  10.  "  They  fhall  iive  and  reign  with  Chrifta  ihoufand 
years,"  Rev,  ax.  4,  In  that  day,  fuch  pejfons  as  are  eminent  for 
true  piety  and  religion,  (k^ll  be  chief! v  promcted  to  places  of  truft 
«nd  authority.  Vital  religion  fhu)  then  take  pofTrfSon  of  kingSp 
palaces  and  thrones  ;  at  d  thofc  \rho  are  in  highc/l  advancement 
ihall  be  holy  men  :  If.  xllx,  23.  **  And  kings  (hall  be  thy  nurf- 
ing-fathers,  and  their  queens  thy  nurfifjg  mot.  era."  Kings  (hdll 
cnaploy  all  their  power,  and  glory, and  riches,  for  the  advancement 
of  ».hc  honour  and  glory  of  Chrift,  and  the  good  of  his  church  :  If. 
Is.  16,  "  Thou  Oaak  alio  fuck  the  milk  of  the  Gentiles,  and  /halt 
fuck  the  breaftfi  of  kings."  The  great  men  of  the  world,  and  lb« 
rich  merchants  and  others  who  have  great  wealth  and  infliience, 
fiiall  devote  all  to  Chrift  and  his  church:  Pfal.  xlv.  12.  *«  Tb^ 
daughter  of  Tyre  fhall  be  there  with  a  gift,  even  the  rich  among  the 
people  (hsU  intreat  thy  favour. 

''■  (4)  Thofc  will  be  times  of  great'' peace  and  love.  There  fhalt 
then  be  a  univcrfal  peace  and  a  good  undcrftanding  among  the  na- 
tions of  the  world,  ia^ead  of  fuch  confuSon,  wars  and  blood  Ihed? 
as  have  hitherto  been  from  one  age  to  another  :  If.  ii.  4.  "  And 
be  ih*Il  judge  Eaa en g  the  intions,  and  fhall  rebuke  many  people  t 
and  they  fhall  beat  shclr  f words  into  plow  fliarcs  atid  their  fpearf 
into  pruoing-hooks  ;  nation  flball  not  lift  up  fwofd  againft  nation 
neither  fhaD  they  iearp  waT  any  jnore."  So  h  h  rcprefcnted  as  ij 
*II  inftruratnts  of  war  fhould  be  deftroycd,  as  bdng  become  ufc. 
Itfs  :  Pfal.  xivi,  9.  «»  He  maketh  wars  toccafe  unto  the  end  o{ 
the  earth  :  and  brsakcth  the  bow,  and  cuf icth  the  fpear  in  funder, 
he  burncth  the  chiriot  in  the  firs."  Sie  alfo  Z=ch  ix.  10.  Then 
fhall  all  nations  dwell  qu'ctly  aiid  fafely,  without  fear  of  any  enc. 
my.  If.  xzzii.  18.  **  Aijd  y:y  people  f^all  dwellin  a  peacea- 
ble habitation,  and  in  furc  dwelUnga,  and  in  qjiet  refting-places.'' 
Alfo  Zcch.  viii.  10.  11. 

'  Then  ftiH  malice,  and  envy,  and  wrath,and  revenge,  be  fup- 
prcffed  every  where,  and  peace  and  love  (hall  prevail  between  one 
man  and  another  ;  which  is  mo^  elegantly  fct  forth  in  If.  si.  6* 
— ^  10*  Then  ftall  there  be  peace  and  love  between  rulers  and  rul- 
ed. Rulers  fliall  love  their  people,  and  with  all  their  might  fcek 
their  bc^  good;  and  the  people  ftialUove  their  rulers,  and  ftiall 
oy fully  fubmit  to  them,  and  give  them  that  bcncur  which  is  their 
«?.    A  vi  fo  ihaU  there  be  an  happy  love  between  ojinifters  and 

their 


kbe  Work  of  R  E  D  E,M  P  T  I  O  N.  265 

fiieir  people  :  Mai.  iv.  6.  **  And  he  (hall  turn  the  heart  of  the 
fathers  to  the  cbildreD,aodtbeheart  of  the  children  to  their  fathert.'* 
Then  ifaall  fiourifh  in  an  eminent  manner  thofe  Chriftian  virtue! 
of  meekncfi,  forgivenefs,  longfuffcring,  gladnefi .  goodncfi,  bro- 
abcjly-kindncfs,  thofe  excellent  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  Men,  in  their 
temper  and  difpofition,  Caall  then  be  like  the  Lamb  of  God,  the 
lovely  Jcfui.     The  body  feall  be  conformed  to  the  head. 

.  Then  Ihall  all  the  world  be  united  in  one  amiable  focicty.  AH 
aaiioni,  in  all  part«  of  the  world,  on  every  fide  of  the  globe,  Ihall 
then  be  knit  together  ia  fwcct  harmony.  Ml  parts  of  God'i  church 
ihali  aifift  and  promote  the  fpiritaal  good  of  one  another.  •  A  com- 
munication Ihail  then  bs  upheld  between  all  parts  of  the  world  to 
that  end  ;  and  the  art  of  navigation,  which  i*  now  applied  fo  much 
to  favour  mcni  covetoufncf*  and  pride,  and  ii  ufed  fo  much  by 
wicked  debauched  men,  (hall  then  be  confccr^tcd  to  God,  and  ap- 
plied to  holy  ufei,  at  we  read  in  if-  k.  5.  —  9*  It  wiii  then  be 
a  time  wherein  men  will  b^  abundant  in  cxprcifiog  their  love  to 
ons  another,  not;only  in  worde,  butin  deedi  of  charily,  at  we  Icara 
If.  xxsii.  ^.  **  The  vile  perfonflbali  be  no  more  called  liberal, 
nor  the  cbutl  faid  to  be  bountiful  ;"  and,  verf,  8.  But  the  liberal 
devifeth  liberal  things,  and  by  liberal  things  ihall  he  flacd." 

(^)  It  will  be  a  time  of  cxceEIeni  order  in  the  church  of  Chrift. 
The  true  government  and  difcipline  of  the  church  will  then  be  fet- 
tled and  put  into  praftice.  All  fihe  world  flball  then  be  as  one 
church,  one  orderly,  regular,  beautiful  fociety.  And  as  the  body 
Shall  be  one,  fo  the  mcnbera  Ihall  be  in  beautiful  proportion  to  each 
ether.  Then  Oaall  that  be  verified  in  Pfal.  cxxii.  3.  Jerufalemis 
builded  as  a  city,  that  is  compact  together." 

(^)  The  chursh  of  God  (hall  then  be  beautiful  and  glorious  cn 
thcfe  account! ;  yea,  i«  will  appear  in  pcrfcftion  of  beauty  :  If.  Ir. 
I.  **  Arifc,  fbinc,  for  thy  light  i«  come,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  ii  rifca  upon  thee."  If.  Ixi.  10.  ♦*  He  hath  covered  ms 
with  a  robe  of  rightcoufnefj,  as  a  bridegroom  dccketh  himfelf  with 
ornamenis,  and  aa  a  bride  adorneth  hcrlclf  with  her  jewels,"  Ga 
thcfe  forcmentioncd  accounts,  the  church  will  then  be  the  grcatcft 
Image  of  heaven  itielf. 

(7)  That  will  be  a  tiaae  of  the  gre^tc/l  temporal  profperity. 
Such  a  fpiritual  ftatc  as  we  have  juf\  dcfcribcd,  has  a  natu^aJ  ten- 
dency to  temporal  profperity  :  it  has  a  tendency  to  health  and  long 
life  ;  and  that  this  will  adually  be  thecafc,  iscvidcntby  Zcch.  viii. 
4.  "  Thus  faith  the  Lord  of  bofts,  Thcye  flaall  yet  old  mcnarici  old 
women  dwell  in  the  ftrects  of  J^rufalem,  and  every  man  wiih  bij 
Aaifin  his  hand  for  very  age."  It  has  alfo  a  natural  tendency  to 
procure  eafe,  qu'ctneff,  plcafantncfs,  and  chearfulnefs  of  m>r-d,and 
alfo  vrealsb.  and  great  increafc  bI  cb«Idr:o  3  ii  ii  intimated  in 


2f'6  A    H  I  S  T  C  H  Y  ot 

Zcch.  viil,    5."  And  the  Creels  of  the  city  fhall  U   fuU  of  beys 

andgirk  playing  in  the  flrcct»  thereof." But  further,  the  tem- 

poial  profpciity  of;  the  people  of  God  will  slfo  be  promoted  by  a 
fcciiiikable  blcfling  from  heaven  :  If.  Ixv.  21.  "  They  ihsAl 
byUd  boufcB,  snd  inhsbis  th.*m  ;  and  they  ilyiU  plant  vine- 
yards, and  cat  she  fruit  of  t^cci"  And  in  Mic.  iv.  4.  '*  But 
liifey  ihdll  i£t  every  man  under  his  vine,  and  lender  his  tig- tree,  and 
sionc  Ifcsl!  make  them  afrhtd."  Ztch  viii.  12.  **  For  the  feed 
fliall  b-  profps:fC"43,  the  vine  {hall  give  her  fi*uit,  and  the  ground 
Ihall  ^jvc  her  iiicrcafe,  and  the  bsavsns  liiall  give  her  dew^ 
and  I  will  Ciufe  she  remnant'  of  this  people  to  poi^efi  all  thefa 
jhing:;,"  Sse  alfo  Jcr.  xsxi»  12,  13.  and  Amos  ix.  13.  Yea 
fihcn  they  fli;»'l  receive  &\l  manner  of  tokens  of  God*s  prefchce,  and 
accsptaccc, and  favour  :  Jsr.  xxxiii.  9,  **  And  it  l^jiibeto  me  i 
aams  of  joy,  a  praife  and  an  honour  before  aiS  the  nations  of  the 
earth,vpn!ch  is,,aU  hear  all  ths  good  that  I  do  unto  them:  and  they  ihM 
fear  and  trcjibk  for  all  the  goodncfs  -^nd  for  a!i  the  profperity  that 
I  prociine  unto  it.*'  Krircn  tht  dstjh  of  Solomon  were  but  animsgeof 
thofc  days,as  to  thi:  tcEiporai  prpfpcjrity  which  fliall  obtain  in  thcoie 

(8)  liv/ili  alfp  be  a  dmc  of  great  rejoicing,;  If.  sxxv.  ie>. 
"*  Aii.il  the  ranfonied  oi  the  l^ord  ilia!!  return  and  come  to  Zion 
with  fcnga,  and  everlailirg  j jy  upon  thcii"  heads  :  they  r^ail  obrai^ 
j.oy  and  giadnefs,  and  iofrovy  and  Hghing  Ibal!  flee  away.*'  Chap. 
^S  12'  '*  For  7e  ^4311  go  out  with  joy,  and  be  led  forth  with 
pr:ace  :  the  oioualains  and  the  hiits  ih-Al  break  fo?th  before  ycu." 
Chap,  ixvi.  II..  *'■  That  ye  uisy  fuck,  and  be  fatisficd  with  ihe 
bfeafts  of  her  confoiations  i  thas  ye  may  oillk  out,  aud  be  ddigvhi^ 
cd  with  the  abundance  of  herpjory."     Chap.  xii.  3.     "  With  joy 

fhaU  ye  draw  ^ate?  out  of  the  wells  of  falvation."- Then  will 

be  a  tiind  of  feaf.ing,  Thst  will  he  the  church*a  glorious  wadding- 
day,  10  far  as  her  wedding  with  Chri^^  (>iail  ever  be  upon  earth  :r 
Rev.  xix.  7.  *'  Lti  ls  be  glad  and  rejoice,  ind  give  honour  to 
him  ;  for  the  marripgc  of  the  Lamb  i»  come,  and  his  wife  hath 
made  herfcif  ready."  Yed,  9.  ♦*  BIciicd  are  they  which  are  caU- 
cd  to  the  marriagc-fupper  of  the  LaoTib.'' —But  I  ccmc  novr, 

zaiy.  To  fay  foocthing  of  the  duration  of  this  ftatc  of  the  church'w 
profperity.  On  e: is  iihail  b«  very  brief.  The  fcfipture*  every 
where  it:p:efe.»c  it  to  bs  of  long  coutiauance.  The  former  inter- 
vah  of  reft  and  profperity,  as  we  before  obfervcd,  arc  reprcfentcci 
to  be  but  Oicrt  ;  but  the  rcprcfentations  of  this  ftatc  arc  quiie  dif- 
ferent ;  Rsv.  XX.  4.  «'  And  I  faw  the  louls  of  them  that  were  be- 
headed for  the  witnefj  of  Jcfus,— and  they  lived  and  reigned  with 
ChtUt  a  tkoufand  y  sari."  If.  Ix,  15.  "Whereas  thou  haft  bccd 
tforfaken  and  hated,  fo  that  no  marj  went  through  thee,  I  will  malisi 

ttesfcjiStcrcalcscsUeacy/ajoyof  r;tfPj'£:5»fr<s^/fffv%^  ,     ' 

■^  —    "•      "         •  "  ^  This 


kbe  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N,  267 

Th:«  may  fuffice  as  ?o  ihc  profperous  ftaie  of  the  church  through 
.Joe  greater  part  of  ths  jcricd  from  the  dcftruftioa  of  Saaa's  viJi- 
bU  kirgiom  in  the  world  lo  Chrift's  appearing  in  the  cloudi  oi 
h?3vcn  to  judgement. 

il.  1  now  come  to  fpcik  of  the  great  apoftafy  there  ftiall  be  to- 
wards the  clofc'of  t\\h  pcriodj  and  hovr  imminently  the  church 
faall  be  for  a  ihort  time  thrcattncd  by  her  enemies.  This  1  ihaU 
do  under  three  particuiarSi 

1.  Aliidc  biforcthecvd  of  the  world,  there  fhall  be  a  yciy 
great  apoftafy,vrhcrcia  grcui  part  of  the  world  Ihall  fall  away  froai 
Chrift  and  his  church.  It  is  laid  in  Rev.  xx.  5.  that  Satan  ihould 
be  caft  icto  the  bottoralcfs  pit,  and  (hut  up,  and  have  a  fcal  fci  up- 
on hioj,  chat  he  fhould  deceive  the  nations  no  ooorc  tiS!  the  thou- 
sand years  ihculd  be  fulfilled  ;  and  that  after  that  he  mull  bcloofe4 
oat  of  his  pr ifon  for  a  liulc  feafon.  Accordingly  wc  arc  told,  ia 
the  7th  and  Sihvcifcs,  that  when  the  thoufand years  are  expired, 
^atan  fhali  be  Joofcdout  of  his  prifon,  and  fiiould  go  fonh  to  de- 
ceive the  nstions^  which  are  in'thc  four  quarters  of  the  earth,  Gog 
and  Magog,  Wnich  fccms  lo  (how  as  though  the  apoftafy  would  b$ 
very  general  The  nations  of  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth  (hall  be 
deceived  ;  and  the  number  of  thofc  who  fhall  now  turn  enemies  to 
Chrift  fhall  be  vaftly  great,  as  the  army  of  Gog  and  Magog  is  r£« 
prefcntcd  in  E2:kiel,  and  as  it  is  faid  in  Rev.  xk,  8.  that  the  num- 
ber of  them  is  as  the  fasid  of  the  fca,  and  that  they  went  upon  the 
breadth  of  the  earth,  as  though  they  were  aa  army  big  enough  to 
ffcrxh  from  on?  Tide  of  the  caith  to  the  othc/. 

Thus  after  fuch  an  happy  and  glorious  feafon,  fuch  a  long  day 
of  ligrit  and  bolincfs,  of  love,  and  peace,  and  joy,  now  it  fhall  be- 
gin again  lo  be  a  dark  time.  Satan  (hall  begin  to  let  up  his  do- 
minion again  in  the  world.  Tfci>  world  HiaM  again  become  a  fcene 
of  darkncfs  and  wickedncfa.  The  bottomleft  pit  of  hell  ihall  be 
Opened, "Sad  devils  foall  come  up  again  out  of  it,  and  a  dreadfut 
fmokc  ihall  afccnd  to  darken  the  world.  The  church  of  Chrift, 
irJlead  of  extending  to  the  utmoft  bounds  of  the  world,  as  it  did 
before,  fhall  be  reduced  to  narrow  liraiti  again.  The  world  of 
Ksinkiad  being  continued  fo  long  ia  a  /^atc  of  fuch  great  profpe- 
ji-y,  (hall  now' begin  to  abufc  their  profpcrity,  to  fcrve  their  \u{i 
aiid  corruption.     Tbia  wc  icarn  from  Luke  xvii.  26.  &c. 

2.  Tnofc  apof^ates  fhail  m^kc  great  oppoiiiicn  to  the  church  of 
Qod.  The  church  (hall  fecm  to  be  ionminently  threatened  with  a 
fddden  and  entire  overthrow  by  them.  It  is  faid,  Sstaa  (hail  gather 
ihcm  together  to  battle,  as  the  fand  on  the  fea  ihorc  ;  and  they 
lircniup  on  the  breadth  of  the  earth,  and  compafTed  the  camp  of  the 
fainis  about,  and  the  beloved  city.  So  that  this  beloved  city  fhal* 
fecm  jufl  ready  10  tc  fvrallowcd  up  by  them  :  for  her  cncmicf 
^-.-     ;     -      . -    -  ih-U    ■ 


?69  A  H  I  S  T  O  K  Y    of 

(hal!  not  only  ihrealcn  her,  bm  (hall  adlually  have  gathered  rogethet 
agatnft  her  ;  and  not  only  fo,  but  (hsil  have  bcGcgcd  bcr>  (ball 
have  corr>paJircd  h<ei  about  on  every  fide. 

There  is  nothing  m  she  pixpf.ecy  which  feems  to  hold  forth  ai 
though  the  church  b.id  actually  fallen  into  fhcir  bands^  at 
ihff  church  had  fallen  into  the  bands  of  Antichrift,*  to  ■ 
whom  it  was  given  to  m  Jc?  war  with  tl;ic  faiaU,  and  to  over- 
come them.  God  will  v.tvtT  LiiiTri-  ihia  to  be  again  after  the  iall 
of  Antichriil  ;  for  ihco  the  cfay  of  her  njourria^g  fhaij.  be  todedc 
But  she  chuich  f>isi!  ktm  moft  emincntiy  threat«iacd  with  utter  and 
fiiddcn  deftru^ioa» 

|.  Now  the  ftate  of  things  will  feem  mofl*  remarkably  to  call 
for  Cbnh'i  immediate  appearance  to  judgeaacnt.  For  then  the 
vrorld  {Lalibc  filled  with  the  moll  aggravated  wickeo'ncfs  that  ever 
it  was.  Foi-  much  the  grsarcr  part  of  the  ^Torld  fhall  have  bccoms 
vifiblv  wicked  and  open  enemies  to  Chrin,  aad  their  wickednefs 
th&\i  be  dreadfully  aggravated  by  iheir  apoftafy.  Before  the  fall 
of  Antichrift,  moh  of  the  world  was  full  of  vifibly  wicked  men.' 
But  the  greater  part  of  thcfe  are  poor  Heathens,  who  never  enjoy- 
ed the  lighs  of  the  gofpel ;  and  oihers  are  thofc  that  have  been  bred 
up  in  the  Mahometan  or  Popifls  darknefs.  But  sbefc  arcthofe  that 
bavc  apoftatifed  from  the  Chriiliaa  church,  and  the  vifiblc  Jting- 
dom  ofChri^pin  which  they  enjoyed  the  great  light  and  privileges  of 
tbe  glorious  timcs^of  the  chus'ch, which  fliall  be  incomparably  grca'«cr 
than  the  light  and  privileges  which  the  church  of  God  enjoys  now, 
^hls  apoftafy  will  be  n^.jl^  like  the  apoftafy  of  the  devils  of  any 
chat  ever  had  bi^fore  been  :  for  the  devils  apoAatifed,  and  turned 
e?»».  mieg  to  Cbrift,  tho'  they  enjoyed  the  light  of  heaven ;  and  thefc 
wiOapoiiitdfe,  and  turn  enemies  to  him,  though  they  have  «njayed 
the  light  and  privileges  of  the  glorious  times  of  the  church.  That 
fuch  (houM  turn  open  and  avowed  enemies  to  Chri«V,  and  fhould 
fsek  the  ruin  of  his  church,  will  cry  aloud  for  fuch  immediate  ven- 
geance as  was  executed  on  the  devils  when  they  fell. 

The  wickednefs  of  the  world  will  remarkably  call  for  ChriA's 
immediate  appearing  in  Homing  fire  to  take  vengeance  on  them, 

ecaufe  of  the  way  in  which  they  (hall  manifcil  their  wickednefs, 
v.'hich  will  be  by  fco^ng  and  blafphemirg  ChriA  and  his  holy  rc- 
ji^'gion  ;  and  particularly,  they  will  fcoft  at  the  notion  of  Chriil's 

:«jmiag  to  judgement,  of  which  the  church  fh^ll  be  in  expeftation, 
'iid  of  which  they  will  warn  them.  For  now  doubtlcfs  will  be 
another  fulfilment,  and  the  grcateA  fulfilment,  of  2  Pel.  iii  3.  4. 
•*  Knowing  this  f^rft,  that  there  (hall  come  in  the  laft  day  fcoffers, 
walking  after  their  own  lufts,  and  faying,  Where  is  the  promifc 
of  his  coming  ?  For  fmce  the  fathers  fell  a  flccp,  all  things  con- 
tinue as  they  were  from  the  bsginning  of  the  creation."  They  fhal5 

te  in  no  cspe^iUtion  ui  tiic  coming  of  Chiift  to  judgement,  and 


he  Work  of   REDEMPTION.  169 

ftull  laugh  at  ihe  notion.  They  ft\3ll  trample  all  fucb  thingi  undcf 
foot,  and  ihall  give  up  thcmfclves  to  their  luftf,  or  to  cat  and  drink, 
and  walloMT  in  ftnfual  dciighif,  ai  though  they  were  to  be  here  for 
ever.  They  (hall  defpifc  the  warnings  the  church  fhall  give  them 
•of  the  comirrg  of  Chrift  to  judgcmcKjt,  ai  the  people  of  the  old 
world  dcfpifcd  whi»t  Nosh  told  ibcm  of  the  approaching  flood,  and 
as  the  people  of  Sodom  did  whenLot  faid  to  them, "The  Lord  will 
dcAroy  this  city."  Their  wickcdncfs  on  thi»  account  wrill  cry  aloud 
to  heaven  forChrift's  appearing  in  flaming  fire  to  take  vengeance  of 
bii  enemies  ;  and  alfo  becaufe  another  vray  that  they  {hall  exercife 
their  wickcdnefs  will  be  in  the  wicked  dcfign  and  violent  attempt 
thev  (hall  he  engaged  in  againi!  the  holy  city  of  God,  »gain(t  that 
holy  city,  wherein  lately,  and  for  fo  long  a  time,  fo  much  of  the 
religion  of  Chrift  had  been  feen.  They  (hall  then  be  about  to  per- 
petrate the  moft  horrid  defign  againi^  this  church. 

The  n«meroufncfs  of  the  wicked  that  (hall  then  be,  if  another 
thing  which  (hall  efpccially  call  for  Chrifl's  coming  :  for  tbc  world 
will  doubtlefs  then  be  exceeding  full  of  people,  havicp:  continued 
fo  long  in  fo  great  a  ftatc  of  profpcrity,  without  fuch  terrible  de-« 
folating  extrcmi?ie8*  as  wars,  peftllences,  and  the  likc^  to  dimi- 
ni(h  them.  The  mofl  of  this  world,  which  ftiall  be  fo  populous, 
will  be  fuch  wicked  contemptaoui  apofi:ates  fromGod.  Undoubtedly 
that  will  be  a  day  wherein  the  wot  Id  will  be  by  far  fuller  of  wick- 
edncfs  than  ever  bef'orc  it  was  from  the  foundation  of  it.  And  if 
the  wickedacfs  of  the  old  world,  when  men  began  to  multiply  on 
the  earth, .  called  for  the  deftruftion  oi  the  world  by  a  deluge  of 
waters,  this  wickednefs  will  ai  much  call  for  its  deftrudioo  by  a 
deluge  of  fire. 

Again,  the  circumftanccs  of  the  church  at  that  day  will  alfo  em- 
inently  call  for  she  immediate  appearing  of  Chrif>,  as  they  will  be 
compaffed  about  by  their  blafphcmous  murdcroOs  enemies,  jufl 
ready  to  be  fwallowed  up  by  them.  And  it  will  be  a  moft  dil>re(iing 
time  with  the  church,  excepting  the  comfort  they  will  have  in  the 
hope  of  deliverance  fromGod  :  for  all  other  help  will  fecm  to  fail. 
The  cafe  will  be  come  to  the  hft  extremity,  and  there  will  be  an 
immediate  need  that  Chrift  fhould  come  to  their  deliverance.  Tho' 
the  church  (hal!  be  fo  eminently  threatened,  yet  fo  will  Providence 
order  it,  that  it  (hall  be  pircfcrvcd  till  Chrift  fhall  appear  in  hij 
immediate  prefence,  coming  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with  all  hii 
holy  angels.  Then  will  come  the  time  when  all  the  elc£l  (hall  be 
gathered  in.  That  work  of  cor  vcrfation  which  has  been  carried 
on  from  the  beginning  of  the  church  after  the  fall  through  all  tbofc 
ages,  (liall  be  carried  on  no  more.  There  never  (hall  another  foul 
fee  converted.  Every  one  of  thofc  many  millioos,  whofe  name, 
were  writtca  in  the  book  of  life  before  thefoisndatico  of  the  vrorld* 

fiiall 


£7-»  '       A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

ifcill  be  br5'!ght  ia  ;  not  one  foul  fhall  be  loft.  The  myArcsI  body 
of  Chrtft,  which  has  be^r  grc-tvin^i:  fmce  it  firft  began  in  th« 
days  c.r  Adam,  will  be  camplcJc  as  to  number  of  parti,  having 
evejy  one  oi  h&  tncoibefi.  .  Id  thh  refpc£^jihc  work  of  redempiioa 
vjfiil  now  hz  fii.iihcd.  Aivi  now  the  end  for  wbid;  the  nicans  cl 
grace  have  been  tTnlitutsa  (bait  be  obtained.  All  thai  Ci'[^c\  which 
was  intended  to  ba  accompiiGied  by  tbem  (hall  now  be  accomplilhcd. 

Sect.   II. 

TFt  U  S  i  have  (bovvn  how  the  fucce/s  of  Chfl'r.'6  rederaption 
basbcea  accompl-.ibed  during  the  continuance  of  thcChrifiian 
church  under  the  means  of  grace.  We  have  fecn  what  great  rcvc» 
lutioni  there  have  b^en  and  arc'  to  be,  daring  this  fp?.r>e  cf  fimc  i 
[low  the  greal  wheels  of  providence  hat/e  gone  round  for  the  accom- 
prsdjmeat  of  th^t  ijind  of  fucccfs  of  Ghrifi's  purchafe,  which  confifti 
5n  tbt  beilcwaccnt  of  grace  on  the  cUSl  :  and  we  are,  in  the  pro- 
fecution  of  the  fubjad,  corae  to  iht  time  when  all  the  whcclj  have 
gone  round  ;  the  courfe  of  things  in  this  ftate  of  it  is  finillied,  and 
ali  thing!  are  ripa  for  Chrift's  coming  to  judgement. 

You  may  rcj^embeV,  that  when  i  began  to  difcourfcj  of  this  third 
propoiition,  viz.  That  from  the  refurrs<!ilion  of  Chrift  to  ibc  end 
of  the  world,  liie  whole  time  h  taken  up  ir*  procuring  the  fuccefj 
and  effcft  of  Chrift's  purchafc  cf  r<rdemptio-;  1  cbfcrvcd, 
sbat  the  fucccfs  of^Chtifi's  purchafe  is  of  two  kindi,  nonfift- 
either  in  grijce  or  g'ory  ;  and  that  the  fuccefs  cocfifting  in  the  for- 
mer of  thefo,  is  to  be  fe»!n  in  thofe  works  ^f  Gq<\  which  are 
wrought  during  thofe  agfrs  that  the  church  19  ccntinred  under  the 
we^n*  of  grace  ;  and  thst  th^fuccefs,  confiiltng  in  the  liUcr,  will 
chiefly  be  accompliChed  at  the  dsy  of  judgrmcpt. 

Having  already  ftwwa  ho-v  the  former  kla5  of  fuccefs  hp^bei 
sccoraplin-ysd,  I  cease  row,  in  the  fero^d  pisre,  .to  the  Istter, 
viz,  that  kind  of  fuccefi  which  h  sccompHSiei  in  the  bv>©\'.  msnt 
of  gbry  on  the  churcb,  which   fliall   chiefly  be  btftrwd  on  the 

©hurch  St  the  day  of  ju:'gcmeot, -Here  1  would  mention  tvro  oi 

Jhree  things  in  ?he  g!:neral  coucerning  this  kind  of  fucctfa  of 
Chrill's  purchafe.       ' 

I.  How  great  the  fucccfi  of  ChriA'i  purchafe  is,  chiefly  ?jpp:s?3 
m  this.  The  fuccefs  of  Chrift'*  purchafe  doe?  fumma?ily  conHi^ 
an  the  falvation  of  the  cka.  But  this  bsflowmsnt  of  glory  is  c- 
TnlnentJy  called  their  falvoiion:  Hcb.  ix.  2^8.  "To  them  that 
look  fp?  hi.T!,  fbali  be  appear  tbc  fecood  time,  witbcjs  fin  unto  UU 
vation.'.— So  it  is  called  redemption,  being  cm'nenliy  thai 
wherein  the  redemption  of  tbc  church  confifts.  So  in  'f^-j^h,  iv.  30, 
•'  Sealed  unto  the  day  of  redemption  ;"  and  Luk^xxi.  28.  andl 
Epfe.  I  14.  "  l&gdsaaption  of  the  putcbafcd  poiTciTion." 


ihc  Work  o!    R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  t7« 

ft.  All  that  is  before  th?i,  virhilc  the  church  is  urdcr  the  meant 
of  grace,  U  only  to  m.-ikc  way  for  ihc  fucccfi  which  is  to  be  ac- 
complilhcd  in  the  bcftowmcnt  of  glory.  The  means  of  grace  are 
to  fii  for  glory  ;  and  Qod's  grac«  itfclf  it  bci^owcd  on  the  ckd  to 
make  ihem  meet  for  glory. 

3.  All  ihofc  glorious  things  which  were  brought  to  pafs  for  the 
church  while  under  the  mcaris  of  grace,  are  but  images  and  (hadows 
of  this.  S  J  were  thofe  glorious  things  which  were  accompUIhcd 
for  the  church  in  the  days  of  Conftantine  the  Great  5  and  fo  ii  all 
that  glory  which  is  to  be  accomplifhcd  in  the  glorious  times  of  the 
church  which  arc  to  fucceed  tlie  fall  of  Anticbrift.  As  great  as  ii 
U,  it  is  all  but  a  (hadow  of  what  will  be  bcftoi^ed  at  the  day  of 
judgement  :  and  eherefore,  as  I  have  already  often  obfervcd,  alt 
thofe  preceding  events,  by  which  God  wrought  glorious  thingi 
for  his  church,  are  fpotca  of  in  fcripturc  as  images  of  Chrift's  laft 
coming  to  judgement. 

But  I  hailen  more  particularly  to  fiaow  how  this  kind  of  fuccefii 
of  Chriil's  parchafe  is  accomplilhcd. 

i .  Ghrift  will  appear  in  the  glory  of  his  Father,  with  al!  his  ho^ 
ly  angels,  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven.  When  tbc  world  h 
thus  revelling  in  their  vyickednefs,  and  comparting  the  holy  city 
shout,  juft  ready  to  dcftroy  it,  and  when  the  church  is  reduced  to 
fuch  a  great  flraitj  then  (hall  the  glorious  Redeemer  appear.  He 
through  whom  this  redemption  has  all  along  been  carried  on,  he 
/hall  appear  in  the  fight  of  the  world  ;  the  light  of  his  glory  (hall 
break  forth  ;  the  whole  world  fhall  immediately  have  notice  of  itp 
and  they  fhall  lift  up  their  eyes  and  behold  this  wonderful  fight. 

It  is  faid,  "  Every  eye  (hall  fee  him,"  Rev.  i.  7 Chrift  (ball 

appear  coming  in  his  human  nature,  in  that  fame  body  which  wai 
brought  forth  in  a  (iable,  and  laid  in  a  manger,  and  which  after- 
wards was  fo  cruelly  ufed,  and  nailed  to  the  crofs. 

Men  fhall  now  lift  up  their  eyes,  and  fee  him  coming  in  fucb 
majcfty  and  glory  as  now  is  to  us  utterly  inconceivable.  The  glo' 
ry  of  ihc  fun  in  a  clear  firmament,  will  be  but  darkncf*  in  compa- 
rifon  of  it  ;  and  all  the  glorioui  angels  and  archangels  (hall  attend 
upon  him,  thoufand  thoufauds  miniftering  to  him,  and  ten  ihou- 
fand  times  ten  thoufand  round  about  him.  How  different  a  per- 
fon  will  he  then  appear  from  what  he  did  at  his  firft  coming,  whci 
he  was  a  root  out  of  a  dry  ground,  a  poor,  defpifid,  affli«ftecl 
man  I  How  diflferent  now  is  his  appearance,  in  the  midft  of  ihofe 
glorious  angels,  principalities,  and  powers,  in  heavenly  pJa^ei, 
attending  him  aj  his  ordinary  fervants,  from  what  it  was  when  in 
•the  mid(\  of  a  ring  of  foldiers,  with  his  mock  robe  and  his  crown 
of  thorns,  to  be  buffeted  and  fpit  upon,  or  hanging  on  the  croft 
between  tvj^o  thieves,  with  a  multitude  of  his  enemies  about  hira 
triumphing  over  him  1 

LI  Thif 


272  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T    ol 

Thif  fight  will  be  a  moft  uncxpcacd  fight  to  the  wiekci  vi'orJd  : 
it  win  come  as  a  cry  at  mldcight :  they  ihill  be  »akoa  in  the  tnidft 
of  their  wickcdncfs,  and  it  m\\  give  thcoi  a  dreadful  alarm      h 
will  at  once  break  up  their  rcvcU,  their  baling,  and  drinking,  and 
caroufing.     It  will  put  a  quick  end  to  the  dcSgn  of  the  great  army 
that  irill  then  be  compi/Hng  the  cacnp  of  the  faints :  it   irill  make 
them  let  drop  their  weapons  out  of  their  hands.     The  world,  which 
»yiU  then  be  very  fuil  of  people,  cioft  of  whoa  will  be  wicked 
men,  will  then  be  filled  with  dolorous  fh.iekJng  and  crying  ;  {qh 
all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  Jhall  wdl  becaufc  of  him.  Rev.    i.  7. 
WaerclhJlihcyhidctheiiilelvcs  ?     Hjw   will  the  frght  of  that 
awful  majefty  terrify  them  w'^cn  taken  in  the  midft  of  tV.Cir  wick- 
Cviaefs  ?     Then  they  ihiil  fee  who  he  is.  what  kind  of  pcrfon  he 
i*,   whom  they  have  aiockt^i  and  fcc^fd  at,  and  whofe  chu:ct^ 
thty  hive  been  endeavouring  to  overthrow.  This  fight  will  change 
their  voice.     The  vx-ice  of  ^hcir  baghtcr  and  finging.    while  they 
arc  marrying  and  giving  in  marriage,  and  the  voice  of  their  fcof- 
fing,    ihzll  be  ehingcd  inio  hideous,  yea  hcM^fh  yelling.     Thei^ 
Co^mtenances  IhsU  bs  chmged  from  .1  fhow  of  carnal  mirth,  haugh- 
ty pride,  and  conterapt  of  G^d'i  peopk  ;  it  (hall  put  on   a  fticvv 
of  ghaftly  terror  aud  ama^tfa.Gnt  ;  and  irembling  and  chattering 
6f  teeth  (h^ll  feizc  upon  thca> 

But  wi:h  r^fp^a  to  the  faints,  llie  church  of  Chriil,  it  (bail  bs 
a  joyful  and  a  moft  gforious  fight  to  them  :  for  this  fight  will  at 
dace  (ielivsf  ihcn:*  f.-om  ?!i  isar  of  their  enemici.  Who  were  before 
comp-ifing  them  about,  y^^Y  ready  to  f  rsUow  them  up.  D::{iYef- 
anc2  QarA  come  in  their  ea^remliy  :  th^glofioui  Captain  of  ihei'r 
fa'vaiio:i  fljall  appear  iot  thsm,  at  a  time  when  no  other  help  ap- 
peared. Then  Qk^l  they  Viit  up  their  bcais,  and  thc«r  redcmp;io« 
J'iil?  be  drawing  a igh.  Like  xjc?  28 — — Thu*  Chri?^will  appear 
tvith  infii'tc  nanjci^y,  an-*  yei  at  the  fame  timfc  they  fhill  fee  infi- 
nite love  in  hi3  couatenancc  to  them.  Tnui  to  fee  their  Redeemer 
coming  in  the  cbud^  of  heaven,  wili  fiil  their  hearts  full  of  glad- 
nefs.  Their  countenances  alfo  (hall  be  changed,  but  not  as  the 
coviitcnanccs  o*  the  wick  ;'1  but  Ihill  be  changed  from  being  icr- 
rowftil  to  be  tsc-^cding  j.^yful  and  triimphsnt.  Now  the  work 
of  redemption  will  bt  finiftied  in  another  fesifc,viz.  that  thcwhciC 
churc'^  ih.W  bs  cc>mpJc*e!y  ^nd  eternally  freed  ftom  all  pcifecuuv^a 
and  m^lcftaucn  from  wicked  men  and  devils, 

2  the  i.it^  trumpet  (hill  found,  and  the  dead  (hall  be  raifcJ* 
and  the  living  changed,  Ood  fcnt  forth  his  angels  with  a  great 
found  of  s  trump'^t,  to  gather  together  bis  eledt  from  the  four 
corners  cf  the  earth  in  a  myAical  fenfe,  before  the  de(^ru<^ion  of 
Jcruf'1-an  ;  i.  e,  he  feat  forth  the  apofllei,  and  others,  to  preach 
the  Kofpel  all  over  the  world.  And  fo  in  a  myitical  fenfe  the  great 

trumpet 


the  Work  cl    5  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  M.  275 

UUTcpct  wai  blovrn  at  the  bcginn'ig  of  the  glarioui  time*  of  the 
ChufCQ.  Bui  now  iht  great  irutnpet  it  blown  in  a  taotc  literal  fcnfe, 
^ith  mighty  found,  which  (bake*  ihc  earth.  Frxrc  will  be  a 
great  fignal  given  by  a  mighty  found  made,  which  ii,  cslled  ths 
voict  of  the  archangtlf  aibcinp,  the  angel  of  gr^aicA  (^rerg  h,  1 
Thcf  iv  16,  "  For  the  Lofd  himfeH  ihall  "ficfcend  fi-cui  hc«vcn 
^ith  a  (hout,  with  the  voice  o\  the  aschangel,  ard  wiihti^c  trump 
pf  God."  On  the  found  of  the  grca^  trumpet,  the  6ckd  ftiall  be 
raifed  every  where  f^ovv  the  number  o\  the  dead  ii  very  great. 
How  many  has  death  cut  down  for  io  long  a  licie  aa  fince  the  worSd 
has  ftood.  Bm  then  the  number  wiil  be  much  greater  after  the 
world  thall  have  (iood  fo  much  longer,  and  through  mo(i  of  the 
remaining  time  will  doub':lcf!i  be  much  fuller  of  inhabitatite  thaa 
ever  it  has  been.  All  ihefe  flja!!  now  rife  frcra  the  dead.  The 
graves  Ih^'l  be  opened  every  where  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  and 
ihe  fea  fhall  give  up  che  innumerable  d^ad  th^t  are  in  it,  Rev.  zs* 

Now  all  the  mhabitanti  that  ever  fball  have  been  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth,  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  to  that  t?mc,  (liaU  all, 
appear  upon  earth  at  once  ;  all  that  ever  have  been  of  the  church  o£ 
God  in  all  ;^ge«,  Ad?m  anriEvc,  the  firft  pare»^ts  of  minkind,  and 
Abel,  and  Scth,  and  Mcthufelab,  and  all  liie  fronts  who  we.'^e  their 
contemporaries,  and  Noah,  and  Ab:*hara,  Ifazc,  and  ji^rcb,  JirA 
the  prophe:t  of  Ifracl,  and  the  faints  in  the  limt:  of  Antiochus 
Epiphancj,  snd  ail  that  were  of  tnc  church  in  their  times  ;  and  ill 
ibc  holy  apo^tics  of  Jefus  Chrift,  and  sil  the  faints  of  their  timet  • 
ard  all  the  holy  martyr?  under  the  tec  Hc?..then  p<;rfccutfon«.  And 
?!l  eho  belonged  to  the  church  in  iti  wiidcrnefs  fiate,  during  »he 
dark  times  pf  Ar  ticbriil,  and  all  the  hcly  mart'  rs  who  have  iui' 
fertA  under  the  cruelty  of  ihtPopifo  perfccutlcnsj  and  all  the  faints 
of  the  prcfcnt  time,  snd  ^ill  the  faints  who  arc  here  in  this  afTcm- 
i)!y  airotvg  the  reft  5  and  all  that  (hAl  be  frcm  hcLCC  lo  tSe  end  of 

the  world. Now  alfoall  the  cntmirs  of  the  chtirch    thsi  h?>ve 

or  {ball  be  in  all  the  sges  of  the  woild,  (h  11  rpp-^ar  upon  ihe  face 
of  the  earth  again  ;  all  the  wicked  tilled  in  the  flood,  snd  trie 
muUitudcf  that  died  all  over  the  world  amorg  Gad'v  prcttll.ng 
people.  Of  otheci  }  all  that  died  in  all  the  Heathen  nations  before 
Chrift,  and  all  the  wicked  Heathers,  an<^  Jewi  «nd  MahoKttsrs, 
and  papifls,  that  have  died  fincc  ;  sU  thnll  come  together.  Sin- 
ners of  all  forts  ;  dcmute  hypocrite*  ;  thofe  who  have  the  f  •'irrf^ 
andbcft  ootfidc,  and  open  profane  drui  kardt,  whorcmafrerf.  here- 
tics, Deifls,  and  all  cruel  perfecutors,  and  all  chat  have  died  or  fhajl 
4ic  in  (in  anongft    us. 

At  the  fame  time  that  the  dead  arc  raifrd,   the  living  flisll  fc» 
cliaaccd.      The  bcdiet  of  the  wicked  who  ftall  ibcn  be  living^ 


«7+  A    H  I  S  T  p  R  Y    of 

fli^ll  bi  fo  cbanged  as  to  fit  ihem  for  eternal  torment  without  cof- 
rupiiop  ;  ^nd  'he  bodiet  oFall  the  liviBg  faints  fhall  be  changed 
to  b'  hkt  Chrift's  glorious  body,  i  Cor.  xv.^i  52.  53— — > 
The  bodies  of  the  fainrs  Ihall  be  fo  changed  at  to  render  them 
for  ever  ftjcapable  ofpsinj  or  ^ffiitiion,  or  uncarincfi  ;  and  all 
that  duilri^is  and  hc3vincfsj  and  all  that  deform iry,  which  their 
bodies  bsd  U^foVir/fljall  be  put  ofF  j  and  »hey'fhali  put  onftrength, 
and  bc;»u'y,  .^nd  sftivity,  and  incorruptible  unfading  glory.  In 
lurh  glj'-y'ihsfl  the  bodies  of  all  the  rifen  faints  appear. 

N  nv  the  WO!' k  o*  redemption  I'hali  be  tinifhed  ih  another  rc- 
fped,  v?2.  that  iiU  the  t\e£t  JhaU  now  be  sftuaHy  redeemed  ia 
boih'foul  and  bociy  Before  thi«,  the  work  of  redemption,  ai  to 
it-  adYual  fuccsfs,  "was  but  incomplete  and  impcrfeft  ;  for  only 
the  fouls  cf  the  redeemed  wercaeViialiy  favcd  and  glorified,  except- 
ing in  fome  f^w  inftanccc:  but  nb^r  all  the  bodies  of  the  fainti 
fcill  be  favcd  and  gVoriHed  together;  allthe  c!e<!^  ftjalU  be  glo- 
irified  in  the  v>holc  man,  and  the  foul  and  body  in  union  one 
ivith  the  other. 

5.  Now  ih all  the  whole  church  of  faints  be  eaught  up  in 
tbcclouds  to  ^:^ecft  the  Lord  in  rhc  air,  and  all  wicke-d  men  and 
devils  Ikail  be  arrainged  before  the  jucJgecnent  feat.  When  the' 
dead  faints  are  railed,  then  the  vyhole  cbyrch,  confifting  of  all  the 
cleft  through  all  age?,  will  be  (landing  together  on  the  face  of  th€ 
Caitb,  at  Icafl:  all  excepting  thofe  hw  whoic  bodies  were  glorified 
before ;  and  then  they  (hyll  all  mount  up  ?s  with  wings  in  the  air  to 
fccctChrift  :  for  it  fecmsthatChriO,  when  he  comei  to  judgement, 
^il\  not  come  quite  down  to  the  ground,  but  his  throne  will  be  Hx* 
ed  in  the  air,  in  the  region  of  the  cloud*,  wh«:nce  he  may  be  fcen 
by  ui!  tliat  vaft  multitude  that  ISial!  be  gatbcied  before  him.  Th« 
church  of  faints  therefojs  ibal!  be  taken  up  from  the  earth  to  af- 
cend  up  to  their  Siyiour.  Thus  the  apci^le  tells  us,  that  when  the 
dead  in  Chrlft  are  raited,  and  the  living  changed,  then  thofc  who 
are  alive  and  remaiti,  ftall  be  caught  up  togeihcr  with  them  to 
meet  the  Loid  in  the  air,  and  fo  flhall  we  be  ever  with  the 
Lord,  I  Thef.  iv.  16  17.  What  a  wonderful  fight  will  that  be, 
«vhen  all  the  many  millions  of  faints  are  feen  thus  mounting  up 
from  all  parts  of  the  world  I  ' 

Then  il»al!  the  work  of  rcdcmpiioa  be  finifhed  in  another  re- 
fpd£i:  then  fhall  the  whole  church  be  perfe£lly  and  for  ever  deliver- 
ed from  this  prefent  evil  world,forevcr  forfake  this  curfed  grounds 
they  fhall  take  their  cvcrlafiing  leave  of  this  earth,  where  they  have 
been  Grangers,  and  which  has  been  for  the  moft  part  fuch  a  fcene 
of  their  troubles  and  forrcw  ;  where  the  devil  for  the  moff  part  ba4 
reigned  as  god,  and  has  greatly  moleRed  them,  and  which  hat  been 
^cb  a  fceae  cf  f  iciiedDefs  god  aboejiaatioQ  h  wbcu  Ctifii^  tbeL^ 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  S7| 

Jjord  has  been  cruelly  ufcd  ;  and  where  they  have  been  fo  hated» 
and  reproached,  and  ^crfecutcd,  from  age  to  age,  through  moft  of 
the  ages  of  the  world.  They  iball  leave  it  under  foot  to  go  to 
Chrift,  and  never  (hsll  (cz  foot  on  it  again.  And  there  fkall  be 
an  everlasting  feparaiion  made  bst\yceo  theoa  and  wicked  men* 
Before  ihcy  were  mixed  together,  and  it  was  impofT.ble  in  many 
inftanccs  to  determine  which  were  which  ;  but  now  all  (ball  become 
vi.lble  ;  both  faints  and  Tinners  (hall  appear  in  their  true  chsra(^ers. 

Then  fhall  all  the  church  be  fecn  flowing  together  in  the  air  to 
the  place  where  Chrif^  (hall  have  iizcd  hli  throne,  coming  from 
the  eafl  and  weil,  and  north  and  fouth,  to  the  right  hand  of  Chrl/V. 
What  a  mighty  cloud  of  them  then  will  there  be,  when  all  that  ever 
have  been  of  the  church  of  Qod,  all  that  were  before  Chrif^,  all  that 
multitude  of  faints  that  were  in  the  apoftles  time,  and  all  thai  were 
in  the  days  of  Conftantine  the  Qreatj  and  all  that  were  befofc 
and  fince  the  Reformation,  and  alfo  all  that  great  multitude  of 
faints  that  fhall  be  in  all  the  giorioui  timet  of  the  church,  when  the 
whole  earth  Ihall  for  fo  many  generations  be  full  of  faintt,  and  al- 
fo all  that  ^ball  be  then  living  when  Chrift  iQiall  come  ;  I  fay,  what 
a  cloud  of  them  will  there  be,  when  all  thefc  arc  fcen  flocking  to- 
gether in  the  region  of  the  clouds  at  the  right  hand  of  Chrift  ! 

Then  alfo  (he  work  of  redemption  Vili  be  finifbed  in  anothcK 
refped,  viz.  that  then  rhe  churiph  (hall  all  be  gathered  together » 
They  all  belonged  to  one  fociety  before,  but  yet  were  greatly  fe- 
paratcd  with  rcfpcft  to  the  place  of  their  habitaticn  ;  fomc  being  in 
fceaven,  and  ferae  on  earih  ^  and  tbofc  who  were  on  earth  togetbef 
were  fcparalcd  one  from  another,  csiany  of  them  by  wide  oceanf, 
and  vaA  coclinents-  But  now  they  lliall  all  be  gathered  together, 
never  to  be  feparalcd  any  more.  Not  only  ihal!  all  the  members  of 
the  church  now  be  gathered  together,  but  all  ihall  be  gathered  unto 
their  Head,  into  his  immediate  ^Jorious  prcfence,  never  to  be  fe- 
parated  from  him  any  more.     T^ii  never  came  to  pafs  till  noT.^ 

At  the  fame  time,  all  nicked  men  and  devils  (^^11  be  brought 
before  the  judgement  feat  of  Chri/^.  Thefc  (ball  be  gathered  to  the 
left  hand  of  Chrift,  and^  as  it  fcem«,  will  ftill  remain  upon  the 
earth,  and  (hall  not  be  caught  up  into  the  air,  as  the  fain?5  lliall  be. 
The  devil,  that,  old  ferpcnr,  ikall  now  be  dragged  up  cut  of  hell, 
liff,  that  firft  procured  the  fall  and  mifery  of  mankind,  and  has  (o 
fet  himfclf  agairf^  their  redemption,  and  has  ali  along  Ihownhim- 
fclf  fucb  an  inveterate  enemy  to  the  Redeemer  ;  roxr  he  Ikall  ne- 
ver more  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the  church  of  God,  or  be  fuf- 
fered  in  the  lcaf>  to  affli^  or  molcft  any  member  of  it  any  mof*; 
fpr  ever.  Inllead  of  that,  now  he  muft  be  judged,  and  receive  the 
due  reward  of  his  dcedr.  Now  is  come  the  time  which  he  has  al- 
ways drcadcdj  aad  trcfflblcd  ^t  ibe  sj^ought  of ;  the  lime  wherein  l^ii 


^7^  A>H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  of 

shufl  be  judged,  and  recti'/e  his  full  puiihmeni.  He  who  byb|| 
Iwoptation  tnslia^^y  o:ocurf:d  Chrift*>  crurTiCtlon,  and  triumph* 
«d  upon  i»,  a»  wcu^a  he  had  obtain^:!  the  vi(^tory,  even  kt  (hill 
fct  the  conff:qucac5«  oi'  th/:  dcitb  of  Chrift  which  he  procured  :  lor 
Gbrift'a  coining  to  judge  him  in  hi»  hum ?rj  nature  ji  the  confe* 
<juence  of  it  ;  tor  Chrifi  obtained  and  puTch  ifcd  ibit  gJp^y  to  him- 
felf  by  thst  dcstb.  Now  he  muft  fund  ba^orcthas  faaac  Jefu« 
wbofe  death  he  procured,  to  be  judged,  condemned,  ar.deicrnaily 
de^roycd  b^  hiijj.  If  Satan,  the  prince  of  hell,  trembles  at  the 
ihcughf  of  it  tbocfands  of  yean  beforehand,  hojfr  much  more  trill 
he  srem>Je,  a«  proud  and  ai  .-lubbers  as  hi  h,  vrhcn  he  comci  tQ 
A*nd  a«  Cfarift's  bar  ! 

Then  ftiall  he  a!fo  fland  at  the  bsr  of  the  Winii,  whoc)  he  hai  ib 
hated,  and  siiiicled,  and  raolciled  :  for  the  faints  fhall  judge  him 
with  Chrift  :  i  Cor.  vi.  3  "  K aov?  ye  no5  that  we  flaal!  judge 
fingcls  V*  Now  fnzW  he  be  asii  were  fubducd  under  the  church'c 
feet,  agreeable  to  Rom.  rvi,  20 —  Satan,  when  he  firft  tempt- 
ed our  fiift  parcnt8  to  fall,  deceitfuUy  and  lyingly  told  thsna,  that 
they  fhodd  be  gcd5  :  but  liitlt  did  he  think  that  the  confcqucncc 
fncuid  be,  that  they  i'hould  indeed  be  fo  inuch  as  godj,  as  to  be  af- 
fefibrs  ^J^hGod  tojijdge  him»  Much  left  did  he  thin Jj,  that  that 
coftfcqueace  wouSdfoilovr,  that  one  of  that  nature  which  he  then 
fctnptsd,  cKt  of  the  poAcrity  of  thofe  pe«^fcns  whom  he  Icinpted, 
fijould  s6^ually  b^  united  to  God,  and  ihsi  -^j*  Gcdhe  (hoatd  judgii 
the  worjd,  and  t\nt  h^  himfelf  cauft  ftand  trernbHog  and  aftonifhed 
before  bis  judgecnent- feat.  But  thus  all  ihc  devils  in  hell,  who 
have  fo  qppofed  Chrii^  and  bis  kingdom,  ffcall  now  at  laft  Oand 
in  utmc/^  amazement  and  horror  before  Cbrifi  and  his  church,  who 
(hall  appj-ir  to  condcE?in  them. 

Now  alfo  fiaall  ail  Chrifk's  oiher  enemies  be  brought  to  appear 
before  him.  Noi^  (bsU  wicked  proud  fcribes  and  Fharifces,  w^ho 
bad  fuCh  a  malignant  hatred  of  dtirift  while  in  this  ftate  of  humi- 
liation, and,  who  p^fccuted  Cbrifi  to  d^ath,  thofe  before  whofc 
Judgement- feat  Chrift  was  ODCC  called  and  flood,  as  a  malafador 
at  their  bar,  and  thofe  who  mcckcd  him,  and  buffeted  him,  and 
/pit  in  his  face  ;  now  fbal?  they  fee  Chrift  in  his  g'o'y,  as  Chrift 
forewarned  them  in  tli«  t'me  of  it,  Mjtth.  sxvi.  64-  65:  Then 
Chrift  W.-3  before  their  jur^gemenlfeat  ;  but  now  it  is  their  turn, 
Thej  £baU  ftand  before  his  judgement-feat  with  inconceivable  hor- 
ror and  amszcment,  with  ghaftly  countenances,  and  quiking 
Eimbs,  and  chattering  teeth,  and  knees  fmiting  one  againf)  ano- 
ther. 

Now  alfo  all  the  cruel  eremles  and  p<'rfecutors  of  the  churclvthal 
have  been  in  all  ages,  fhs'l  come  in  light  together      Pharaoh  and 

the  EgyptuQ?^  .^ntiochus  ^p<pbsnei|  sad  the  petfecuting  fcriM 

jmd 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  MP  T  I  or?,  «77 

an<i  Pharifccs,  the  pet  fccuting  Heathen  cmperorf,  Julian  the  8*^ 
pofiatc,  the  cruel  pcrfccuiing  Popes  and  P;ipif\s,  Gog  and  M4g:og, 
ftiall  all  Kppeir  at  once  bcfoic  the  jidgcment  feat  of  CKrift.  They 
and  the  faint»  who  have  in  every  age  been  perrecuted  by  thein^ 
0>aH  come  snfig'il  oneof  anochcr,  and  sauflconfroiit  one  another 
now  before  iric  great  Judge,  Now  fhull  the  fainu  on  their  glori- 
oui  throDCS  be  made  the  judges  of  tbole  unjuft  king«  and  rulers  vrh© 
have  beiore  judged  and  condemned  them,  and  cruelly  put  them  to 
death.  Now  (ball  chofe  pcrfccuior*  behold  the  glory  to  woich  they 
arc  arrive  1  whom  ibcy  before  fo  cruelly  defpifed,  and  fo  cruelly 
(jfed  ;  and  Chriil:  wil^  make  thofe  holy  thartyrt  ai  it  were  to  ccme 
and  fet  their  feet  on  the  necks  of  their  perfecutors  ;  they  (hall  be 
inadc  their  foot<>ool. 

Thus  wonderfully  will  the  face  of  things  be  altered  from  what 
ufed  to  be  in  the  former  times  of  the  world  ;  now  will  all  things  be 
coming  to  tights 

4.  The  rightcoufnefi  of  the  chu^'ch  ikall  be  nanifefted,  and  all 
the  wickcJncfs  of  iheii  enemie«  (hall  be  brought  to  light.  Thofe 
faints  who  had  been  the  cbjcdts  ot  hatred,  reproach,  and  contempt 
in  the  world,  and  were  reviled  and  Condemned  by  their  perfccu- 
tori  without  caufc,  (hall  now  be  (uUy  vindicated.  They  ihall  new 
appear  clothed  wiih  the  glorious  robe  of  ChriA'i  rigbteouf- 
oefs.  It  (hall  be  mo(^  m^r  ifeii  before  the  world,  that  Cbrift't 
righteoufnefs  is  theirs  and  they  ttxAl  as  it  were  glorioufly  fliiae 
forth  ia  it.  Then  alfo  fhil'  their  inherent  holincf*  be  made  mani- 
feit,  and  all  their  good  w  j  ks  (hall  be  brought  to  light.  The  good 
things  which  they  did  in  fecret  (hall  row  be  manifci^ed  openly, 
Thofe  holy  ones  of  Ood  who  had  been  treatcf^  as  though  they 
were  the  filth  and  offscouring  of  the  earth,  as  thougr  ihey  were  not 
fit  to  live  upon  earth,  as  worfe  than  beafts  or  deviN,  ihA\  nowj 
when  things  (h?li  apoear  at  they  src,  appear  to  h^vc  beer,  the  excel- 
lent of  the  earth.  N  iw  G  )^  tvill  bring  fo=th  their  righteoufnefs  ai 
the  light,  and  theii  jui^emcnt  a^  the  noon  day.  Now  i«  ihall  ap- 
pear who  were  thofe  wicked  perfon»  that  were  not  tiv  to  live,  when 
all  the  wickedncfs  of  the  encmfes  of  Chrift  and  his  church,  their 
pride,  their  malice,  their  cucltv,  their  hatred  of  true  religion^ 
(hall  bfi  fet  forth  in  all  the  hurrid  aOs  of  it,  and  with  all  its  aggra- 
vations in  iti  proper  colours. 

Now  the  rsghieout  caiy  be  hrard  before  this  great  Judge,  who 
could  not  be  hc^rd  before  thofe  nrjuft  judges.  Now  they  (hall  de- 
clare their  caufe,  and  QiAl  rife  up  in  judgement  againft  their  per- 
fecutors. and  (h?ll  f*ccl  re  ho'v  ihcv  have  been  •  rested  by  them. 
Now  all  the  wickednef-  o'  the  w'cked  of  the  whole  world  (hall 
be  brought  to  light.  All  their  fecret  wickcdncfi,  and  their  very 
beartSi  (hall  be  opened  to  the  view^  and  at  it  were  turned  inf:de 

out 


t7t  A  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

out  before  the  bright  light  of  thai  great  day  :  and  things  that  ba^ 
been  fpokcn  in  the  ear,  in  the  clofct,  and  done  in  the  dark,  (hsU 
be  manifeftcd  in  the  light,  and  proclaimed  before  all  angelt  and 
men  that  arc,  ever  were,  or  (ball  be, 

5.  The  fcntencc  fliall  be  pronounced  on  the  rightcoui  and  thfe 
wicked.  Chrift,tbc  glorious  judge,  Ihall  pafs  that  bleffcd  fenicncc 
pn  the  church  at  hii  right  hand,  **  Come,  ye  blclTed  of  my  Fathcrj 
inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  fcr  you  from  the  foundation  of  tbi 
world."  This  fcnteticc  ffcall  be  pronounced  vtiih  infiaire  love, 
md  the  voice  will  be  moft  fweclj  caufing  every  heart  to  flow  with 
joy.  Thui  Chriil  /hall  pronounce  a  fcnieace  of  juftification  oni 
ihoufasds  and  millions,  who  have  before  had  a  fcntcnce  of  con- 
demnation pafTcd  upon  them  by  their  pcffccuiing  rulers.  He  wiM 
thus  put  hbnor  upon  thofe  who  have  been  before  defpifcd  ;  he  will 
own  them  for  his,  and  will  u  it  'ffcrc  put  a  crown  of  glory  upoti 
their  heads  before  the  world  ;  and  then  (hall  they  fliine  forth  as  th6 
fun  with  Jefus  Chrift  in  glory  and  joy,  in  the  f^ght  of  all  iheir  cne- 
fliies. 

Then  (hall  thd  fentepceof  cohdcafnatjon  be  paffed  on  the  wick- 
ed, "  Depart,  ye  curfed,  info  cverlafting  fire,  prepared  for  the 
devil  and  his  angels."  Thus  Ih all  the  church's  enemies  be  con- 
demned ;  in  which  fcntcnce  of  condemnation,  the  holy  martyrs, 
who  have  fufFcred  from  tbem,  fhall  concar.^  When  she  Words  of 
this  fentencc  arc  pronounced,  they  will  ftrik*  every  heart  of  thofe 
at  the  left  hand  with  inconceivable  horror  and  amazement  Eve- 
ry fyllable  of  it  will  be  more  terrible  than  a  flream  of  lightning 
through  Rheir  hearts.  We  can  conceive  but  very  little  of  thofe 
figns  and  exprefTions  of  horror  which  there  will  be  upon  it,  of 
(bricking,  quaking,  gnafhing  of  teeth,  diftortions  of  countenance, 
hideous  looks,  hideous  actions,  and  hideous  voices,  through  alS 
that  vaA  throng. 

6.  Upon  this  Chrift  and  all  his  church  of  faints,  and  all  the  ho- 
ly angles  miniileriog  to  them,  (hall  leave  this  lower  world,  and 
.  aftend  up  towards  the  highefl  bcaVcns.  Chrift  ihsW  afcend  in  as 
great  glory  as  he  defcended,  and  in  forae  refpcdls  greater  :  fcr 
now  he  ihall  afcend  with  his  cleft  church  with  him,  glorifj^ed  in 
both  body  and  foul.  Chrift's  firft  afcenfion  to  heaven  foon  after 
his  own  refurrcAion  was  very  glorious.  But  this  his  fccond  af- 
cenfion, the  afcenfion  of  his  myftical  body,  bis  whole  cbiTcb,  Ihall 
be  far  more  glorious.  The  redeemed  church  (hall  all  afcend  with 
him  in  a  moft  joyful  and  triumphant  manner  ;  and  all  their  cnemici 
and  perfecutori,  who  (hall  be  left  behind  on  the  accurfcd  ground 
to  be  confumed,  (ball  fee  the  ^ghl,  and  hear  their  fongt. 

Thus  Chrift's  church  (ball  for  ever  leave  this  accurfcd  world,  to 
to  go  into  that  more  gloriout  worlds  the  bighcfi  hcaveni,   into 

the 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  279 

the  paradifc  of  God, ihc  kiingdoai  that  was  prepared  for  them  from 
the  louiidrfiion  of  ihc  wo*  Id. 

7.  When  they  arc  gone,  :hi£  ^orld  (hall  be  fct  on  fire,  and  bs 
tUHicd  into  a  gre^t  furnace,  wherein  aUthc  Ciicmic*  oi  ChJrt  and 
his  church  (ball  be  tormented  tor  ever  and  ever.  This  is  manifcfk 
by  2  Pel.  ii!.  7.  '•  But  jhc  heavens  and  the  earth  whict)  Are  no^, 
by  thi  fatpc  v^ord  arc  kept  in  <ioiC;  refcivcl  unto  flic  agiijift  ihc 
day  of'ju'J^ethenr,  and  pcfdision  of  ungodly  rr:cn."  ^VrcB  Chtift 
and  hu  church  ire  afcondeci  to  2  diftancefrooi  this  WLik>,  thatmi* 
Icr^ble  comp<*ny  of  wicked  bciii^.  Icit  bchir.d,tohavc  their  fcnt<.ne« 
executed  upon  lhca{  here,  ihcvi,  fome  way  or  other,  ihis  whole 
lower  world  (h.U  be  feion  fire,  c«ihcr  by  iir^  frcm  heaven^  Or  by 
fire  bfcakipi^  out  of  ihs  bowels  of  the  earth,  c:  both,  ae  it  wa»  witb 
the  w^icr  in  ihe  iim«  of  the  deluge.  However,  ihi»  lov/er  world 
fhail  be  fct  aU  on  tire. — —How  will  it  fuits  ihc  wicked  witb 
horror,  when  the  iiic  begins  lolsy  hold  upon  i!"sin,  and  they  find 
no  way  to  tfc^pc  it,  or  fice  or  hide  from  it  •  Wfaar  Airicking 
and  crying  viiltherc  be  among  thofc  m.-ny  thoufandi  anda>A\\\ovi9, 
when  they  begin  to  enter  into  ihat  g^cat  fu»naoc,  when  the  whole 
world  (h'J!  be  a  furnace  of  the  fictccil  and  jLOit  raging  heat  !  in" 
fo  much  that  the  ApoAlc  Pete.-  fayj^,  (  2  Pet.  iiii  io.  iz.  ),  that 
•'  the  heavenji  ihili  paf»  avs^ay  wiih  great  noifc>  and  the  clement* 
ili^U  melt  wiih  fervent  heat,  the  earth  alfo  and  the  works  that  ar«8 
therein,  (!ial'  bs  burn?  up  j"  and  that  the  heavens  bsiog  on  fire  (l^aU 
be  difful^ed,  and  the  clcmcnti  Jhall  xaelt  whith  fervent  heat.'* 
So  fierce  fivd]  be  iti  heat,  thai  it  lb  1)  burn  the  ear^h  intojits  very 
ccntfc  t  which  fttras  to  be  what  is  mean<.  Dent.  :izz\L  22.  **  For 
a  fire  ii  kindlsd  in  my  -snger,  an'i  (hall  burn  unto  the  lowci^  hell, 
and  fh^li  confute  ire  caiih  with  her  increafc,  and  fet  oc  lire  thtt 
foundations  of  the   mouDt;^ins  '* 

Here  (hail  ali  the  perfecuiors  of  the  church  of  G  d  burn  in  ever-.' 
!aAing  fire,  who  h^rc  before  burnt  the  faints  at4he  (Ijke,  and  d^all 
fufFer  torTncnis  far  teyond  all  that  their  utmoft  wit  and  oialicg 
could  inflirt  on  the  faint*.  Heic  the  bodies  of  s!i  ihc  wickeo  thall 
burn,  and  be  tormented  to  all  eternity, and  nercrbs  corfucneni  andl 
the  wrath  of  God  fli.^il  be  p  urcd  out  on  their  fouii.  Though  the 
fouls  oi  the  vficke  i  in  hell  do  now  ftffwr  dreadful  punifhmeat,  ycg 
their  punifhmcnl  will  be  inccafcH  at  the  day  or  judgcmcpt,  thac 
whatthey  fufFe red  before,  is,  in  comp^rtfon  of  i  ,  as  an  imprifon- 
mcnt  to  ibe  execution  which  follo«r«  it.  Now  rhc  devil,  that  old! 
fcrpcnt,  ihall  receive  his  full  punifbmcnt  ;  "low  ibili  that  which  hs 
before  trembled  for  fcaii  of,  fully  cnnne  rpon  hix».  TKis  world, 
which  formerly  ufed  to  be  the  place  of  his  kingdom,  where  he  fee 
up  himfelf  as  God,  (hill  novr  be  the  place  ^i  his  complete  puoiih-* 
meaij  aadfuliaad  cverlaning  torment, 

U  m  la 


*8o  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    of 

lathit,  onedc^gn  of  the  work  of  redetcption  which  has  been 
ooentioned,  v;z.  putting  Chrift'a'cnemici  under  hii  feet,  fl^ali  be 
perffi(ftly  accoospiifhcd.  His  enemies  Oiall  now  be  made  his  foot* 
Aoo),  in  the  fullcft  degree.  Nowrtiallbcthe  moft  pcrfeft  iulfil- 
meni  of  fb«t  in  Gea.  iii.  15-    '•  It  fhail  bruife  thy  head.*' 

8-  At  the  fatcic  tiae,  aU  the  church  ihal!  enter  with  Chrifr, 
Sheir  gJo.icus  Lord,  into  the  hightft  heaven,  and  the/e  (hall  enter 
on  the  ftale  of  their  highcfi  and  eternal  bitffedaefs  and  glory. 
While  the  Sower  t^orld,  which  they  left  under  their  feet,  is  fcizcd 
wirh  the  fire  of  God's  veDgencc,  and  flames  ate  kindling  upon  it, 
Had  the  wicked  arc  entering  into  cverlaftingfirc,  the  whole  church 
fhall  cater,  with  their  glorious  head,  and  ail  the  holy  angels  attend- 
ing* in  a  joyful  maoncr,  into  the  eternal  paradifc  of  God, the  palact 
of  the  grest  J^ihovab,  their  heavenly  Father.  The  gates  (ball  open 
wide  for  them  to  ent^r,  as  d  there  Chrift  will  bring  them  into  his 
chambers  in  the  highcfi  fcnfe.  He  will  bring  iheai  into  bis  Fa- 
aher's  houfc,  into  a  world  not  like  that  which  they  have  left.  Here 
Chrif^  wi'l  bring  them,  and  prefent  them  in  glory  to  hi»  Faiher, 
^*yi"gi  '*  Here  am  I,  and  the  children  which  thou  haft  given 
Ofic;'*  as  much  as  to  fay.  Here  am  I,  with  every  one  of  thofc 
whom  thou  gaveft  me  from  ctcrn'ty  to  t  k«  ihc  care  of,  that  they 
might  be  redeemed  and  glorified, and  to  redeem  whom  I  have  done 
and  fuifsred  fo  much,  and  4o  make  way  for  the  redemption  of 
whom  I  have  far  fc  mariy  ages  been  accompliChing  fuch  greaS 
changes.  Here  ih«y  are  no»^  pcrfc^ly  redeemed  in  body  and 
foul  J  I  have  pcift^tly  delivered  them  from  all  the  ill  fruits  of  th? 
fall,  and  pcrfcdly  freed  ihcm  from  ail  their  enemies  :  1  hayc 
brought  ihtm  all  together  into  one  glorious  fociety  :  and  united 
them  all  in  myfclf  :  Ihive  openly  juftiHed  them  before  all  angels 
and  mtn,  znd  here  I  have  brought  them  all  away  from  ihat  accurf- 
sd  world  where  they  have  fuffcred  fo  much,  and  have  brought 
them  before  thy  throne  :  I  have  done  all  that  for  them  which  thou 
ha{>  appointed  mt :  I  have  perfectly  cicanfcd  them  from  all  fthhi- 
nefs  in  my  blood  J  and  here  they  are  in  perfet\  bolincfs,  ihining 
with  thy  perfect  image. 

Then  the  Father  will  accept  of  them,  and  own  them  all  for  hii 
children,  and  will  welcome  them  to  the  eternal  and  perfe^  inhtri  • 
lance  and  glory  of  his  houfe,  and  will  on  this  occafjon  give  more 
glorious  manifcftatiohs  of  his  love  than  ever  before,  and  will 
admit  them  to  a  more  full  and  perfect   enjoyment  of  hisnfell. 

And  now  ftiall  be  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb  in  the  moil  pcrfe^^ 
fenfe.  The  commencement  of  the  glorious  times  of  the  church 
oa  earth,  after  the  f^j]  of  Antichrid,  is  reprefented  as  the  marriage 
cf  the  Latnb  ;  and  thiilhall  be  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb  in  the 
k^hcft  fsnfe  ihat  ever  ihail  be  oa  earth :  but  after  ibis  we  read  of 

acotbcr 


the  Work  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  iSe 

inoiher  marriage  of  the  Lamb,  at  ihc  clofcof  the  day  of  judge- 
ment. A  iter  the  beloved  difciplc  had  given  an  account  of  the 
day  of  judgement,  in  the  clofc  of  the  20th  chapter  of  Revelation, 
then  he  procced«  to  give  an  account  of  what  followi,  in  the  lift 
and  22d  chapters;  and  in  the  2d  vcrfc  of  the  zift  chapter,  he  givci 
an  account,  that  he  faw  the  holy  city,  the  neiv  jcrufakm,  prepared! 
as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  hufband.  And  when  Chrift  OnAX  brinij 
hii  church  into  hi»  Fatbcr'i  houfc  in  heaven,  after  the  judgement, 
he  fhall  bring  her  thither  as  his  bride  '  having  there  prcftntcd .  her^ 
whom  he  loved,  and  gave  himielf  for,  to  himfelf  without  fpot  or 
wrinkle,  or  any  fuch  thing.  1 

The  bridegroom  and  the  bride  (hall  then  enter  into  heaves, 
both  having  en  their  wedding  robci,  attended  with  all  the  gloriftui 
angels.  And  there  they  enter  on  the  fcaft  and  jo>s  of  their  marriage 
before  the  Father  ;  they  Chail  then  begin  an  cvcrlafticg  wedding- 
day.  This  (hall  be  the  day  of  thcgladncfc  of  Chrift's  heart,wbeicia 
he  will  greatly  rejoce,  and  all  the  faints  ihall  rejoice  with  them, 
Chrift  QaAl  rejoice  over  his  bride,  and  the  bride  ihfeU  rejoice  in  hcf 
hufband,in  the  ftate  of  hcrconfummate  and  evcrlafting  bitffcdnefs, 
of  which  we  have  a  particular  defcription  in  the  2 1 A  and  2 2d  chap- 
ters of  Revelation. 

Now  the  whole  work  of  redemption  u  finiflied.  We  have  fecn 
how  it  has  been  carried  on  from  the  fall  of  man  to  this  time.  But 
now  it  is  complete  with  refped  to  all  that  belongs  to  it  Now  the 
top  ftone  of  the  building  is  laid.  In  the  progrefs  of  the  dif- 
courfc  on  this  fubjcft,  we  have  followed  the  church  of  God  in  all 
the  great  changes,  all  her  tcfliogs  to  and  fro  that  (he  has  been  fub- 
)tt\  to,  in  all  the  ftorms  and  tcmpcfts  through  the  mary  ages  of 
the  world,  till  at  length  we  have  fecn  an  end  to  all  thefe  fiorms. 
We  have  fecn  her  enter  the  harbour,  and  landed  in  the  highcfl 
heavens,  in  complete  and  eternal  glory,  in  all  her  members,  foul 
find  body.  We  have  gone  through  time,  and  the  fcvcral  ages  of 
it,  as  the  providence  of  God,  and  the  word  of  God,  have 
Jed  us  ;  and  now  we  have  iffucd  into  eternity  after  time  (hall  be 
TiO  more.  We  have  fccn  all  the  church's  enemies  fixed  in  endlcfs 
mifcry,  and  havefcen  the  church  prcfentcd  in  her  pcrfc<5l  redemp- 
tion before  the  Father  in  heaven,  there  to  enjoy  this  mofl  unfpeak- 
ablc  and  inconceivable  glory  and  blefTednefs  ;  and  there  we  leave 
her  to  cnj«y  thii  glory  tbroughou;  the  never  ending  s get  of  eter- 
nity. 

Now  all  ChriA'f  enemies  will  be  perfcftly  put  under  his  feet,  and 
and  he  iliall  have  his  moft  pcrfe<5l  triumph  over  fin  and  Satan,  and 
alibis  inAruments,  and  death,  and  hell.  Now  fhall  all  tbepromi- 
ie%  made  to  Chrift  by  God  the  Father  before  the  foundation  of  the 
worlds  the  pro&ifet  of  the  covenant  of  redemption,  be  fully  ac- 

complilbcd. 


^^z  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  c3 

€omp!'fhcd,  Chrift  fjiaH  now  pcrfc<fUy  have  obtained  the  joy  ttiaJ 
1V3S  fet  before  him,  <or  which  he  undcrsook  ihofe  gfcat  fuffcrings 
tvhich  he  undcr^-ent  in  hhO-Hcoi  liunitibn'on.  N»  w  fhall  all  the 
hope*  and  e5pc(^^a»ions  of  the  fa?nts  b«r  fu]fill<^d  The  ftaie  ci  ihingi 
Jha4  the  church  wan  in  before,  w -s  ;i  prog  cfHvc  snd  preparatory 
i^atc  :  but  now-  Jhe  js  arrived  to  her  mori  pcr/cdi  >taic  of  g-ory. 
A'l  the  glory  ot  ihs  glorious  t'lmti  of  the  church  on  caj-th  is  b"45 
^  faint  ihadow  of  hc«-  ^orfuriimi<?e  gJory  in  heaven. 

No«r  Cbrife  the  g  cat  j^<.cu£ew)ei  Siall  be  trofi  psrfc^ly  glori- 
fied vnd  Gi'l  t  e  F.^ther  {ball  bs  glo'i^.cd  in  bim,  sad 
the  Hoy  Gh  ^ft  (^.R  bt  rooi^  fully  gloriiieri  in  the  per- 
fedioiT  o*  hij  work  on  th:  hcxi^a  of  ail  s,hc  church-  :  r- 
Aftd  now  OiiH  that  "cvy  heaven  and  new  €3''thj  or.ihst  renewed' 
itai«  of  thingi,  which  k^vc  been  buibing  up  ever  fincc  Chrift's  rc- 
furf(i(lion,bjJ  coraplctcW  Snidied,  after  every.  cn^JSC^iaJ  frsace  of  lb$ 
old  heavens  and  Uie  old'esrth  arcdeftroycd  :  K'v  xxi.  l.  *'  And 
1  fdwa  njvir  be^v.-rn.  ancJ  a  new  canh  :  for  ti  c  tift  heaven  and  the 
firix  cirth  wfire  pi/Ted  av»\-<y'-'-  «  "Nojy  will  ihc  grcar  R:dcccQ<;r 
bavc  pgrf'.?('^gd  every  thing  that  appettaias  to  tiic  worfe  of  redeanp- 
fiion,  v/hich  he  beg^n  fo  i'oon  after  the  fall  vf  ojan.  And  wh^o, 
caQ  Gaaccive  of  Hbe  triujmpu  of  ihofe  praif««  which  /^sll  be  fung  Jo 
l^esven  on  rhiiS  g;,rea«:  ccz-ifrju,  fo  much  greater  than  iihst.  of  the  h^l 
of  A'^fkhriil,  vvhi^h  occa-Hons  fuch  praifes  as  '-%-c  hsve  s^efcribed  in 
fibs  f.9rh  rb'pter  of  Rfvelaiion  !  Tnc  bslovsd  difciple  John  fcrrne. 
t^  vs'an?  Kji^prcvTions  todeiciibe  thofe  pratfcT,  and  fsys,  **  It  was^ 
^«  she  vok«  of  ta'^ny  .w.ncy5,  and  -'^  the  voice  cf  mighty  thunder- 
Ings,  faying,  AlkJuia  t  for  the  Lord  God  omn'p  >teni  reigncth*" 
Bu?  much  more  incspr£ffib^^  VI ill  ihofepr^vfes  be,  which  will  bn 
fang  in  heaven  after  tl:ci)nfl  confuiT)m»'.ion  of  all  ihings.  H.ow. 
ijha'J  the  praifes  of  thzz  vaft  andg^oriQuJ  rjiijiitudc  be  S8  mighSy 
ahundcringi  indeed^ 

Now  ^w  arfi  aU  the  forE^cr  ihi!-;;;!  palTed  swrsy,  snd.  what  a  glp. 
rlous  ft^fc  arc  thinj:*  f^iici  in  to  rctnain  to  all  eternity  !  —: — r  As. 
Chrift,  uhcn  he  nn\  cacered  upon  the  work  of  redcnnption  after  the 
ial!  of  m'inr  had  the  lursg-^om  corriinittcd  to  hlciof  ibcFathcr,  and 
8ook  on  b-'nafclf  the  .^drninif^.ration  of  the  afi"..ars  of  the  univcrfe,  to 
manage  all  fo  as  to  fubfcrve  the  piirpofcs  of  thf«'  kf^ni  ;  fo  now, 
the  WO;  k  being  fin ifhad;  he  wil- deliver  up  tec  kingdoon  to  God 
even  the  Father,  i  Cof,  xv  i.^  '*  Then  cometh  she  end,  when  ht. 
fhali  have  delivered  up  »he  k^ugdom  to  Q.od,  «ven  the  Father  j 
when  he  iball  hr-'n^  put  down  sJS  rule,  and  all  authority  and  pow* 
cr."  Not  that  ChrrAihouM  ccafc  to  rc'g:n  or  have  a  kingdoD;!  af- 
ter this  5  for  it  i;^  faid,  Luhc  u  35.  "He  (hill  rtign  over  the 
tiouf$  of  j^cob  for  ever,  and  o  his  kingdom  there  fJiall  be  no 
^nd."  Soinpan.viJ  14,.  "  That  his  dominion  is  an  cver- 
M»9e  <i»^miaioa^  vyhicb  fcJl    ot  pafi   away, , and  his  kingdom,. 


the  Work  of  REDEMPTION.  2«| 

thst  trfcich  fhall  not  be  dcrtroyed."  But  the  meaning  it.thatCbrift 
(h^.ll  deliver  up  rhat  kingdom  or  domiuion  which  he  has  over  the 
world,  as  the  F  sthcr's  delegate  or  vicegerent,  which  the  Father 
Committed  to  him,  to  be  managed  in  fubfcrvicrcy  to  this  grcJit  de- 
fign  of  icdcmption.  T  he  end  of  this  coinmUlion,  or  dejcgatioo, 
vs-hich  he  had  from  tncFather,  fccms  to  be  to  fubfervethis  p  riicu- 
lar  dcfign  of  redemption  ;  a  r*  therefore,  when  that  defign  is  fully 
accompli  (bed,  thcconamiflion  will  ceafe,  andChrift  will  dsliYcr  it 
up  to  the  Father,  from  whom  he  received  it. 

IMPROVEMENT    OF   THE    WHOLEv 

Proceed  now  to  enter  upon  fomc  improvement  of  the  whol^ 
that  has  been  f aid  from  this  doditine. 
I.  Hence  we  may  Icarn  hovv  great  a  work  this  work  of  redemp- 
tion is.  We  have  now  had  it  in  a  very  impcrfe^^  manner  fet  forth 
before  us,  in  the  whole  progrcfs  of  it,  from  its  firfi  beginning  af- 
ter the  fall,  to  the  end  of  the  world,  when  it  is  finifhed.  We  have 
feen  how  God  has  carried  on  this  building  from  the  fuft  foundati- 
on of  it,  by  a  long  fuccedion  of  wonderful  works,  advancing  is 
higher  and  higher  from  one  sge  to -another,  till  the  top-flone  ie 
Jaid  at  the  end  of  the  world.  Now  lei  us  coniidcr  how  great  a  work 
this  is.  Dj  men,  when  they  behold  fomc  great  palaces  or  churches, 
fomrtimes  admire  their  magnificence,  and  arc  almoft  eflonifncd  to 
condicr  how  great  a  piece  of  work  it  was  to  build  fucb  an  houfe  ? 
then  how  well  may  we  adcpire  the  greafnefs  of  this  building  of  God, 
which  he  builds  up  age  after  gge,  by  a  feries  of  fuch  great  thingi 
^hich  he  brings  to  pafi  !  There  arc  three  things  that  have  been 
«:xhibited  to  us  in  what  has  been  faid,  which  do  efpicially  flaovr 
ihe  g^catncfi;  of  the  work  of  redemption. 

I,   Tne  greatnefs  of  thofe  particular  events,  and  difpenfationt 
of  providence,  by  which  it  13  accomplifhsd.     How  great  are  thofe 
things  which  God  has  done,  which  are  but  fo  many  parts  of 
this  great  wprk  !     What  fijtcat  things  were  done  in   the  world  ta 
prepare  the  way  for  Chrifl's  coming  to  purchafc,  and  what  grea^ 
(tbi  igs  were  done  in  the  purc'afe  of  redemption  !  What  a  v.onder- 
ful  thing  was  that  which  was  sc:;3mpli(lied  to  put  Chrift    in   an  im- 
mediate c^.p^city  for  this  purchafc,   viz,  his  incarnation,  that  God 
ihould  become  m^n  !     Whit  gre:.t  things  were  done  in  that  pur- 
chafe,  that  a  pcrfon,  who  is  :hc  eternal  Jehovah,  ih.-^uld  live  upon 
earth  four  or  fiv-e   and  thirty  yean  together,  in   a  mean  dcfpifed 
condition,  and  that  he  ffcould  fpcnd  bis  life  in  fuch  Isbors  and  fi  fFc- 
rlngs,  and  that  at  Is  ft  he  fhould  die  on  the  crofi  !  What  great  things 
have  been  done  to  accon^.plifb  the  fuccefs  of  ChriA*s  redemption  ! 
what  great  things  to  put  him  into  a  capacity  to  accomplif-e  this  fuc- 
cefj  !     For  this  purpofe  he  rofe  from  the  dead,  and  afcended  up 
kt.Q  heaven,  aod  all  ihingi^  were  tsad^  fubjcA  to  l?.in>.     Hohe^ 


tH  A   H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    c f 

Kiny  miracles  have  been  wrought,  whatnaighry  rc'^uluiiani  hav5 
been  brought  to  pift  in  the  nrorid  already,  and  hovr  much  grcsteir 
&al\  be  brought  to  pafs,  in  order  to  it  ! 

8,  The  number  of  tbofe  great  events  by  which  God  carries  on 
thl§  work,  (Vowa  the  greaincfi  of  the  work,  Thofc  aaighiy  revo- 
luiions  arc  fo  many  a«  to  fill  up  many  »gcs.  The  particuUr  won- 
derful events  by  which  the  work  of  creation  was  carried  on  filled 
up  fm  days :  but  the  great  difpenfations  by  which  the  work  of  re- 
deajptioa  is  carried  on,  are  fo  many,  that  ibcy  fiJ  up  fix  or  fcvcn 
thoufand  yean  al  Icaf>,  as  we  have  reafon   to  conclude  from  the 

word  of  God. 'There  were  great  things  wrought  in  rhb  aifai' 

before  the  flood,  aad  in  the  fiood  the  world  wai  once  dcftroyed  by 
water,  and  God's  chufch  was  fo  wonderfully  prcfcrved  from~ihe 
^3od  in  ot6zc  to  carry  on  this  work.  After  the  flood,  what  great 
things  did  God  work  relating  to  the  refettling  of  the  world,  to  the 
buildir^gof  Bibs),  the  difpcrliig  of  the  nations,  the  ihortening  of 
Ihs  days  of  ram's  llfnt  the  calling  of  Abrsbaro,  the  deftru£lion  of 
Sodom  and '3c-r3":Tr^h,  and  that  long  fcries  of  wonderful  provi-' 
dences  relating  to  Abrahavn,  Ifaac,  and  Jacob,  and  Jofcph,  and 
tbofe  wonders  in  Egypt,  and  at  the  Red  fea,  and  in  the  wilder- 
c^fi,  and  in  Car.aan  in  Jofhaa's  lime,  and  by  a  long  fuccedion  of 
wonderfuS  provideacas  from  age  to  age  toivards  the  aation  of 
the  Jews  ! 

Waat  great  things  were  wrought  by  God,  in  fo  often  overturn- 
ing the  \vor!d  before  Chrif^  came,  to  make  way  for  his  coming  ! 
What  great  things  were  done  alfo  in  Cbrift's  time,  and  then  after 
that  in  overturning  Satan's  kingdom  in  the  Heithen  empire,  and 
and  in  fopseferving  Lis  cbureh  in  the  dark  times  of  Papery,  and 
ia  bringing  about  the  Reformation  {  How  many  great  and  won- 
derful things  will  be  effected  in  accomplilhing  the  glorious  limCf 
of  the  church,  and  at  Chrift'a  laft  coming  on  the  day  of  judge- 
ment, in  the  deftrudiou  of  the  world,  and  in  carrying  the  whole 
church  into  heaven. 

'  3.  The  glorious  iffue  of  this  whole  siTiir,  in  the  perfeO  an^ 
eternal  deftrudion  of  the  wicked,  and  in  the  confuinmate  glory 
of  the  righteous.  Now  let  us  once  more  take  a  view  of  this  build- 
ing, now  all  is  fiaifhci  and  the  top-ftonc  laid.  It  appeared  in  a 
glorious  height  in  the  apoftles  lime,  and  much  more  glori- 
ous in  th«  time  of  Gonflantine,  and  will  appear  much  mors 
glorious  ftill  after  the  fall  of  Antichrift  ;  but  at  the  confummaiion 
of  all  things,  it  appears  in  an  inwnenfely  more  glorious  height 
than  ever  before.  Now  it  appears  in  its  greatcft  magnificence,  at 
a  compleat  lofty  ftrufture,  whofctop  reaches  to  the  heaven  of  hea- 
vens ;  a  building  worthy  of  the  great  God,  the  King  of  kings. 

From  what  has  bceo  faid,  one  may  argue,  that  the  work  of  re- 
itmptioa  is  the  greattR  of  all  God's  works  of  which  wc  have  aoy 


the  WcOc  of   REDEMPTION.  x8j 

notice,  «nd  ii  ii  the  end  of  allhii  other  worki.  It  ippeari  plaia« 
ly  from  what  hai  been  faic^^that  thii  work  i>  the  priflcipa  of  allGod'i 
works  of  providence,  and  that  all  other  worki  of  proTidence  arc 
reducible  hither  ;  they  are  all  fubordinate  to  ebe  great  affair  of 
redemption.  We  fee  that  all  the  revolutions  in  the  world  are  to 
fubferve  this  grand  defiga  ;  fo  that  the  work  of  redemptioa  it,  «■ 
it  were,  the  fum  of  God's  works  of  providenjce. 

This  fhows  us  how  much  greater  the  work  of  redemption  it,  than 
the  work  of  creation  :  fori  have  feveral  timet  cbfcrved,  that  the 
work  of  providence  is  greater  than  the  work  of  creation,  beeaufa  it 
is  the.  end  of  it ;  as  the  ufe  of  au  houfe  is  the  end  of  the  build ioS  of 
the  houfe.  But  the  work  of  redemption,  as  I  hive  juft  faid,  is  the 
fum  of  a^l  God'f  works  of  providence;  all  are  fubordinate  to  it :  fo 
the  work  of  the  new  creation  Is  more  excellent  than  the  old.  So 
it  ever  is,  that  when  one  thing  is  removed  by  God  to  mske  way 
for  another,  the  new  one  excels  the  old.  Thus  the  temple  excel- 
led  the  tabernacle  ;  the  new  covenant  the  old  ;  the  otw  difpenfa- 
tion  of  the  gofpel  the  difpenfation  of  Mofes  ;  the  throne  of  Da- 
vid the  throne  of  Saul  ;  the  prietihood  of  Chritl  the  priefthood  oi 
Aaron  :  the  new  Jerufalem  the  old  ;  and  fo  the  new  creation  fsf 
excels  the  old. 

God  has  ufed  the  creation  which  he  h^s  made,  for  no  other  piir« 
pofe  but  to  fubferve  the  defigns  of  this  afFiir,  To  anfwer  this  entf^ 
he  bath  created  and  difpofed  of  mankind,  to  this  the  angels,  to 
this  the  earth,  to  this  the  highefl  heavens.  God  created  the  world 
to  provide  a  fpoufc  and  kingdom  for  bis  Son  :  and  the  fetting  up 
of  the  kingdom  of  Chtlft,  and  the  fpiritual  marriage  of  the  fpoufe 
to  him,  is  what  the  whole  creation  labours  and  travails  in  pain  to 
bring  to  pafs.  This  work  of  redemption  it  fo  much  the  greatell 
of  all  the  works  of  God,  that  all  other  works  are  to  be  looked  upon 
cither  as  parts  of  it,  or  appendages  to  it,  and  all  are  fome 
way  reducible  to  it  j  and  fo  all  the  decrees  of  God  do  fome  way  o» 
other  belong  to  that  eternal  covenant  of  redemption  which  was  be* 
tween  the  Father  and  the  Sun  before  the  fouc  Jxiiion  of  the  world* 
Every  decree  o/God  is  fouie  way  or  other  reducible  to  that  cove« 
Bant. 

Seeing  this  work  of  redemption  is  fo  great  a  work,  hence  we" 
•eed  not  wonder  that  the  angels  dcfire  to  look  into  if.  We  need 
not  wonder  that  fo  mucU  is  m:ide  of  it  in  fcripture,  and  that  it  is 
fo  much  iniif^ed  on  in  the  hitlories,  and  prophecies,  and  fongi  of 
the  Bible  ;  f  jr  the  work  of  redemption  is  the  great  fubjeft  of  the 
whole,  of  its  dodricei,  its  promifes,  its  types,  its  fongs,  its  hiflo^ 
ries,  and  its  prophecies. 

II.  Hence  we  may  learn  how  God  it  the  Alpha   and  Omcga« 

the  beginning  and  ending  of  all  things^     Such  are  the  chara^er, 

ail    titles  we  tiad  oltea  afcribsdto  God  la  fcripture,  ia  tbofeplace^ 

where 


A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  o!  lU 

whcfe  rhc  fcripture  fpeaki  of  the  courfc  of  ihiagt,  and  (et'zi  of 
events  in  provH^acc  :  If.  xli.  4.  '*  \V!io  hath  wrought  and  done 
**  it,  calliog  the  gencraiiojs  from  the  beginning  ?  1  the  Lord  ihe 
fir/1,  and  with  the  laA,  I  am  he>"  And  p^rticul  rly  does  the  fcrip. 
Jure  afcribc  fuch  titles  to  God,  where  it  fpcaks  of  the  pfovidence 
of  God,  9S  itreUtes  to,  and  13  fuajmcd  up  in  the  great  work  ol 
redemption  ;  as  if  xHv  6.  7.  and  xlviti  12  wiih  the  context, 
beginning  with  the  grh  vcrTc.  Sj  God  etuinCiiely  appears  as  the 
iirA  and  the  hft,  by  cotifid^iring  the  whole  fchcme  of  divine 
providence  as  we  have  confidcrcd  it,  v/z;  as  all  reducible  to  tbaK 
one  great  work  of  redetapiion. 

Therefore,  when  Chrift  reveals  the  future  grcaii  events  of  p'ovi- 
dcncc  relating  tohij  church  and  people,  and  this  ;ifiif  of  redemp- 
tion, to  the  end  of  the  world,  to^fs  ^•ifc'pl  J  hn,  be  oiten  rcvcjia 
bimfelf  under  this  Gharaaer.  So  Rev.  i.  8  «' I  am  A'pha  and 
Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  eridtng,  f^ih  the  L'>rd  which,  is, 
and  which  was,  and  which  is  to  cocne,  the  A  mighty."  So  af,vin, 
vcrfe  10  II.  *  I  heard  behind  me  a  great  voice  asi  of  a  truaipet  Tty- 
ing,  I  am  Alpha  and  Orega,  the  fij^l  and  the  laft."  Alpha  snd 
Omega  are  the  n?.mes  of  the  fifft  and  hi\  letters  of  the  Greek  til- 
ph-bet,  as  J  and  Z  -re  of  ours  ;  and  therefore  it  fignifie*  the  fame 
as  his  being  the  iir/t  and  the  hft^  and  the  beginairg  and  the  end- 
ing- 

Thus  God  is  called  ic  the  bc^mftingofthi*  book  ofMeveiation^ 
before  the  courfe  of  the  p  ophccy  begins ;  and  fo  *tgain  he  is  cal- 
led at  the  end  of  it,  after  the  courfe  of  events  is  gone  through, 
and  the  liaal  iffue  of  things  is  fccn  :  ss  Rev,  xxi.  6  **  And  he 
faid  unto  me.  It  i$  done.  I  ^m  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning 
and  the  end."  Aod  fo  chap.  xxii.  1213.  '*  And  behold,  I 
come  quickly  ;  znd  my  reward  is  whh  me,  to  give  every  man 
according  as  his  wor .  ihall  be.  I  am  A'pha  and  Omega,  the  be« 
ginning  and  the  end,  the  fiil  and  the  laft.  " 

We  have  fccn  how  this  is  true  in  the  courfe  of  what  I  have  laid 
before  you  upon  this  fubjVft.  We  have  feen  how  things  were 
from  God  in  the  beginning  ;  on  what  dcfi^nGcd  began  thccourfs 
of  his  providence  in  the  beginning  of  the  generations  of  upon  the 
earth  ;  and  we  have  fccn  how  it  is  God  that  ^as  all  along  carried 
things  on  agreeable  to  the  fame  defie,n5  without  ever  failing  ;  and 
how  at  laft  the  conclulion  and  final  iffue  of  things  arc  to  God  ;  and 
fo  we  have  fccn  how  all  things  are  of  him,  and  through  h?m,  and 
to  him  ;  and  therefore  may  well  now  c^y  out  with  thcapoftlc,Rom, 
xi.  J3  "O  »he  i:pth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wifdom  and 
knowicdgc  of  God  !  how  unfearchable  are  his  judgements,  and  hit 
ways  paft  finding  out  !"  and  verf.  36.  '♦  For  of  him,  and  through 
bim,  and  to  bim^  are  all  thiogi ;  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever. 
Aaacn,'*  Wc 


the  Wo  k  of   R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N^.  t%J 

Wc  have  fdc«  how  oih;r  thing*  cumc  to  an  end  one  after  another; 
how  ftate*,  and  kmglarns,  and  empJrcf,  one  after  another,  tell 
and  CJme  vj  nothing,  even  the  grcatefl  and  ft-ongcft  oi  ihcm  ;  we 
haV5  /cen  ho«r  ihc  vrofid  ha»  btca  often  overturned,  and  will  be 
more  fciiia.rk  bly  07crturncd  than  ever  it  ha»  btcn  yet  ;  wc  have 
fccn  ho'*v  the  vrorid  c  Jiucs  to  ^n  cud,  how  it  wai  firft  dcAroycd  by 
water,  and  hovy  at  iaft  it  lh?ill  be  uttcily  deft/oycd  by  fire  :  bu?  ye| 
GjI  remains  ihc  fam;:  through  all  sgrs.  He  was  before  the  begin- 
ning of  this  courlc  oi  Jhings,  ani  he  will  be  after  the  end  of  ihtm  ; 

agreeable  to  Pfal,  cii.  2c.  26. Thus  God  is  he  ibac  is,  and  thai 

w»<f,   and  that  is  to  conne. 

Wchavefecn,  in  a  variety  of  it:/l?ncci,how  all  other  gods  pcrfft  ;' 
we  have  fccn  how  the  ancient  gods  ot  the  Heat  icn  in  the  nationi 
abnu<  Canaan,  ^nd  throughout  the  R'^man  empire,  are  all  dcHroyed^ 
and  their  worfhip  long  fince  overthrown  ;  we  have  heard  howAnti- 
chrift,  who  has  called  himfelf  a  god  on  earth,  and  how  Mahomet, 
who  claims  religious  honors,  and  how  all  the  gods  of  the  Hcatbea 
through  the  world,  will  come  Co  an  end  ;  and  how  Saran,  the  g'eal 
dragon,  that  old  ferpcnt,  who  has  fet  up  bimfclf  as  god  of  thif 
world,  will  be  caft  into  the  lake  of  fire,  there  to  fufFcr  his  complete 
punilhmenl  :  but  J.hovah  remains,  and  bis  kingdom  is  an  ever* 
lafting  kingdom,  and  of  his  dominion  there  h  no  end,  Wc  havo 
fccn  what  mighty  changes  there  have  been  io  the  world  ;  but  Gcc4 
is  unchangeable,  **  the  fame  ycf^crday,  to  day,  and  for  tvcr." 

We  began  at  the  head  of  the  (tresm  of  divine  providence,  and 
have  followed  and  traced  it  through  its  varloiii  windings  and! 
turning*,  till  we  arc  ccme  to  the  end  of  it,  and  we  (cq  where  it  if- 
fues.  As  it  began  in  God,  fo  it  ends  in  Godi.  God  It  the  infiGite 
ocean  into  which  it  empties  itrcSf.—— Providence  is  like  a  migh- 
ty wheel,  whofc  circumference  is  fo  high  that  it  u  dreadful,  wiih 
the  glory  of  the  God  of  Kr&el  above  upon  it ;  as  It  it  reprcfentedl 
in  EiCkiel's  vlfion,  We  have  fcen  the  revolution  oftbiswhec!^ 
and  how,  as  it  was  from  God,  (0  its  return  has  been  to  God  again. 
All  the  events  of  divine  providence  are  like  the  links  of  a  ehaio  ^ 
lk€  firf^  link  is  from  God  and  the  lai^  is  to  hisi- 

III.  We  msy  fee  by  what  has  been  fa  id,  bow  Cbri/l  in  aU 
things  has  the  p:e-cmincnce.  For  this  great  work  of  rediimpt;o)!i 
is  all  his  work  :  he  is  the  great  Redeemer,  and  therefore  the  worlg 
of  redemption  being  as  it  were  the  fum  of  God's  worts  of  provi* 
deoce,  this  fliows  the  glory  of  our  Lord  Jcfus  Chrift,  as  being  a- 
bove  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  all.  That  God  intended  the 
world  for  his  Son's  ufe  in  the  affair  of  redemption,  is  one  reaiV^n 
that  is  to  be  given  why  he  created  the  world  by  him,  which  feetru 
lobe  intimated  by  the  ^poftle  in  Epb»  ii?.  9.—- 12.  What  Im 
Ijccn  faid,  (hows  bow  all  the  purpofes  of  God  are  purpoicd  ta 

N  a  Clings, 


288  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  ci 

ChrifV,  and  bow  he  1$  before  all  and  above  all,  and  all  thing*  co»- 
fi(k  by  bim,  and  arc  governed  by  hina,  and  are  for  him,  Colof.  i, 
15.  1 6,  17.  18.  We  fee  by  what  bai  been  faid,  howGod  makei 
him  his  firft-born,  higher  than  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  fets  hif 
ihronc  above  their  thrones  ;  how  God  has  always  upheld  his  king- 
fhm,  when  the  kingdoms  of  others  have  come  to  an  end  ;  hovs* 
that  appears  at  laft  above  all, however  greatly  oppofcd  for  fo  many 
^ges  r  bow  iinally  all  cihcr  kingdoms  fell,  and  hij  kingdom  ii  ifc« 
iaft  kiagdoc3.,and  is  a  k?ngdc>ca  that  never  gives  p'acc  to  any  other. 

We  /ce,  that  «'batevsr  chan-goa  there  are,  and  how  ev^r  highly 
Chrift'i  enemies  exalt  the mfelvc J,  that  yei  finally  all  his  enemies 
become  his  footfbool,  and  he  rcjgns  in  uncontroulcd  power  and  inv- 
aasnfe  glory  :  in  she  end  his  people  arc  all  pcrfe<ftiy  favcd  and- 
iQfiade  happy,  and  his  cnemic*  all  become  his  fooi^ool.— ^And 
ihuj  God  gives  the  world  to  his  Son  for  hia  iahcritanct, 

'  IV,  Hence  we  may  fsc  what  a  ccnflAcnt  thing  divine  provL 
d€nce  !»•  The  cor.ftdcrarion  of  what  has  been  faid,  may  greatly 
fcrvc  to  (how  ui  the  confiHency,  order,  and  beauty,  .of  God'» 
^orks  of  providence.  If  we  behold  the  ev^nn  of  providence  in  a  • 
2?y  other  view  than  that  in  which  it  has  bc^n  fet  before  w^.  it  wHJ 
sttlook  like  confuficn,  like  a  number  of  i-Limbred  events  coooiogto 
f^h  wlihoui  any  order  or  mufaodj  like  the  lofling  of  the  waves  of 
the  fea  ;  thin^^,?  will  look  as  though  one  confufcd  revolution  cacpg 
to  p^fs  after  another,  merely  by  blind  chance,  without  any  rcgula? 
or  certain  end. 

But  if  we  confider  the  events  of  providence  in  the  light  in  which 
they  have  been  fet  before  us  under  this  dodrine,  in  which  the  fcrip- 
Ijrcs  fet  them  before  us,  they  appear  far  from  being  jurabled  and 
confufcd,  an  orderly  fcries  of  cventi,  all  wifely  ordered  and  dirc(fi- 
cd  in  excellent  harmony  and  con^^ence,.  tendmgall  to  one  end. 
The  wheels  of  providence  arc  not  turned  round  by  blind  chance, 
bat  they  are  full  of  eyes  round  shout,  as  Ezekiel  reprefents,  and 
they  are  gmied  by  the  fpirit  of  God  .'  where  the  fpirit  goes,  ihcy 
ao:  and  all  God*s  works  of  providence  through  all  sgts  meet  in 
in  one  at  laft*  as  fo  m^ny  lines  meeting  in  iine  ser.ire. 

It  is  with  God *a  work  of  providence,  as  it  is  with  hi*  work  of 
creation;  it  is  but  one  work.  The  events  of  providence,  are 
not  fo  many  dii\in6V,  independent,  works  of  providence,  but  they 
are  rather  fo  many  d^fFirent  parts  of  one  work  of  providence  :  ii 
is  all  one  work,  one  regular  fcbcrae,  God's  works  of  providence 
arc  not  difunitcd  and  jumblci  without  c  nneaion  or  dependence, 
but  are  all  united,  juft  as  fcveral  parts  of  one  building  :  there  are 
many  ftonei,  many  pieces  of  timber,  but  all  are  fo  joined,  and  fit- 
ly formed  together,  that  they  make  but  one  building  :  they 
have  all  but  oae  fouadalioa,  and  arc  uailsd  at  laft  in  one  top- 
ilonc.  God'* 


jth«  Work  of  R  E  D  E  MP  T  ION,  2^9 

Ood'i  providence  may  not  unfitly  be  compared  to  a  Iarg:e  and 
long  river,  having  innumerable  branches,  beginning  in  different 
regions,  and  at  a  great  difiance  one  from  at:  other,  and  all  corfpir- 
ing  to  one  common  iffue.  After  their  very  divcrfc  and  contrary 
courfes  which  ihcy*held  for  a  while,  yet  they  ill  gather  more  and 
atorc  together,  the  nearer  thty  coaae  to  ihcir  common  end,  and 
all  at  length  difchargc  ihcaiiclve*  al  one  mouth  irjlo  the  Uw.e 
ocean.  The  Qiifercnt  ftuams  ol  ihii  river  arc  stpi  to  appear  iikc 
mere  jumble  and  confufion  to  us,  becaulc  of  the  limiicdDcu  oi  our 
fight,  whereby  we  cannot  fee  from  one  branch  to  another,  and 
cannot  Ice  the  whole  at  once,  fo  as  to  fee  how  ail  are  united  in  on€, 
A  man  who  fees  bat  one  or  two  ftrcams  at  a  time,  canaot  teli  what 
their  eonrfe  tends  to.  Their  courfc  fcems  very  crooked, and  diftcr- 
cnl  ftreasi*  fecai  to  run  for  a  while  different  and  contrary  wa)s  ? 
and  it  we  view  things  at  a  dift^ncc,  there  feem  10  b«  inntmcrablc 
obftacles  and  impediments  in  the  way  to  hinder  their  ever  uriiting, 
And  coming  to  the  ocean,  as  rocks  and  mountains,  stid  the  iiike  i 
but  yec  if  we  tra^cc  them,  they  all  unit?  at  laft,  and  all  ccmc  to 
the  fame  iffue,  difgorging  ihemfclves  in  one  into  the  fame  great 
ocean.  Not  one  of  all  the  Areams  fail  of  coming  hither  at  laft. 
V.  From  the  whole  that  has  been  faid,  we  may  ftrongly  argucj, 
that  the  fcrij|ves  ar«  the  w^rd  of  God,  becaufe  they  alone  inform 
m  what  God  k  about,  or  what  he  aims  at,  in  thefe  works  which  he 
Is  doicg  in  the  world.  God  doublkfs  is  purfuing  fomc  dc%n, 
And  carrying  on  fomc  fcbemc,  in  the  various  changes  and  revola. 
tions  which  from  age  to  age  came  to  pafs  in  the  Aorld.  It  is  moft 
reafonable  to  fuppofe,  that  there  is  foma  certain  great  dtf.gn  to 
which  Providence  fubordjnates  all  the  great  fucceflive  changes  in 
the  cffiiirs  of  the  world  which  God  has  made.  It  is  rcafonablc  to 
fuppofe, that  all  revolutions,  from  the  bcginniug  of  the  woild  to  the 
end  of  it,  are  but  the  various  part?  of  the  fame  fcheaae,  all  confpir- 
ing  to  bring  to  pifs  that  great  event  which  ihe  great  cicator  and 
governor  of  the  world  has  uhimatcly  in  view  ;  and  th; t  the  fchrmc 
will  not  be  finiftied,  nor  the  defign  fully  acccmpliibcd,  and  the 
great  and  ultimate  event  fully  brought  to  pafs,  till  the  end  of  the 
world,  and   the  laft  revolution  ia  bought   about. 

Now  there  is  nothing  elfethat  informs  us  what  this  fcLemc  and 
dcfign  of  God  in  his  woki  if,  but  only  the  holy  fcripturei.  No- 
thingh^elfe  pretends  to  fet  in  view  the  whole  ferics  of  God's  works 
of  prov'dence  frcmbeginnirg  fo  end,  and  to  iniorm  us  how  all 
things  were  from  God  at  fiirt,  ard  for  what  end  they  are,  ard 
how  they  were  ordered  from  the  beginning,  and  hew  \hr.y 
will  proceed  to  the  end  of  the  world,  and  what  they  wi^I 
come  to  at  laft,  and  how  then  all  things  fttsU  be  to  God.  No- 
thing elfe  but  the  fcrrj  turcs  has  any  pretence  foi  fhowing  any  man- 
esr  of  rcgdar  fc^cme  or  drift  in  jhofe  rcvolutioss  whlvh  God  ot^ 


S^Q  A   M  I  S  t  O  It  Y  of 

dcH  from  sge  to  age.  Nothing  dfe  prctcodi  to  llinw  ^hst  God 
UroulJ  b)"  the  things  which  he  has  done,  and  is  doing,. and  will  doj 
what  he  fcekj  and  intends  by  ihccn.  Nothing  clfe  prctcndi  to 
ftiow,  wi:h  an>  diitintlnefi  or  certainty,  how  the  world  bcgsn  a« 
firfl,  or  to  tcU  uj  the  original  of  things.  Nothing  but  the  fcrip- 
tUTti  fcts  forth  hovr  God  governed  the  world  froca  the  begir.ning 
of  the  gensradoni  of  men  upon  earth,  in  an  orderly  hifbory  ;  snd 
nothing  elfc  fets  before  us  how  he  will  govern  it  to  the  en  J,  by.aa 
orderly  prophecy  of  future  events  |  agreeable  to  the  challenge 
which  God  makci  to  the  gods,  and  prophets,  and  terchcrs  'of  the 
Heathen,  in  If.  sli.  22.  23."  Let  ih'-m  bring  thtm  forth,  -Jnd 
I5icw  us  whatfhal!  happen  :  let  them  ibew  the  fornser  things  what 
they  be,  that  wc  may  co:  (ider  the®,  and  know  the  kicr  end 
of  them-;  or  declare  t3  things  for  to  coxnz»  Shew  the  things  that 
arc  to  come  hercsfatr,  that  we  may   know  jhai'  yc  are  gods.'.' 

Reafon  fi'.ows,  that  It  is  fit  and  rcquilltc,  that  the  intcnigcnt  and 
rational  beings  o?  tht  world  fbcald'  knew  fosjcthJng'cf  God's 
fdhcme  and  dzf^gn  in  bis  work* :  for  they  iji^ub'.Icfs  are  beings  that 
are  prindpaHy  concerned.  The  thing  that  Uwo6\  grtsj  dcfign  in  his  . 
works,  is  doubdefs  fos2SCthIng  concci^nirg  his  rcafonable  creciturej, 
rather  than  bruisbea^.5  snd  lifckfs  thing?  The  revelation  by 
which  God's  g-?«at  dewgr.  is  ijrought  to  paf»,  are'doubtlcf?  revoluti- 
ons chkdy  among  thern,  and  which  concern  their  ftate,  and  noS 
the  (iite  o(  things  vri?:hoiit  lUz  or  reafon.  And  therefore  furely  ig 
Is  ftquifise,  that  ihsy  (houU  know  focrjethlhg  of  it  j  efpccially 
feeing  that  reafon  tcsci-iC»,  that 'Gad  hsa  given  his  rational  crea- 
tures m{on,  and  a  capacity  of  feeing  God  In  his  works  ;  for  this 
tniif  they  fee  Gad's  glory  »n  thcsu*  and  give  hitn  the  glory  of  tbesn. 
Byt  hon'  can  they  fee  God's  glory  in  his  wcrks,  if  they  do  ncJ 
know  i'.ba:  God's  cJcf;gn  In  tbcm  is^  aad  t?hat  he  aims  at  by  i>haC 
lie  13 doing  in  the  world  ^  ''       '  •■"-  -     ^^ 

Further,  it  is  fie  that  manldnd  fbould  be  informed  fomethiog  of 
God's  dcijga  in  the  governnrscnt  of  the  world,  becaufe  they  arc 
tn^de  c-*pible  of  aflivdy  falling  in  with  that  dcfign,  and  promot- 
ing of  it,  and  adihg  herein  as  bis  friends  and  fubjecis  ;  it  is  therfc- 
^ore  rcafo.'iablc  to  fuppof^,  that  God  has  given  TEankind  feme  re- 
velation 10  inforoj  ihem  of  this  :  but  there  is  nothing  clfe  thaS 
does  St  but  the  Bible,  li  the  Bible  this  is  done.  Hence  we  may 
Beam  an  account  of  the  finl  original  0^  things,  and  an  orde*?ly  ac- 
count of  the  fcheme  of  God's  works  froai  the  firRbcginni::g  through 
ihofc  ages  that  arc  beyond  the  reach  of  ail  ether  hiflories.  H^tc 
«re  are  told  what  God  aims  at  in  the  whole,  what  is  the  greater  end, 
fcow  he  has  contrived  the  grand  dcfign  he  drives  at,  and  the  greag 
ihings  ht  would  accomplift;  by  all.  Here  wc  have  a  moft  ratiorAal 
gSCcUsat  aecounl  of  this  ©aitcr^  ircrtby  of  Gpd,  and  esceedin^ly 


the  Work  of   It  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  ifn 

jhewfng  fortfi  the  glory  o'bii  per fc^ ions,  hi«  msjefty,  hlf  wifdom, 
h'«  glorious  holircfi,  ar^J  grace,  and  Jove,  and  bit  ezaludoa  a- 
bov*!;  fil  ,  ftijvtinghoir  be  is  ibc  firft  and  the  laft. 

Hrrc  we  are  (h^iWo  the  conne<^iion  of  the  variouf  parts  of  the 
work  o*  provide  cc,  an :  howr  ail  harmonifcf,  and  is  conncd^ed  to- 
gether «Q  a  regular^  beautiful,  and  glorious  frame.  In  the  Bible, 
we  have  an  account  of  the  whole  fch^tnc  of  proviitnce,  from  the 
beginning  of  ide  woiU  to  the  end  of  it,  either  in  hiliory  or  pro. 
phccy,  and  are  told  what  will  became  of  things  at  laft  ;  hovy  V  :; 
will  be  finiftier<  ff  by  a  great  day  of  ju^grmcnr,  and  will  if 
the  fubd'jing  of  God's  enemies,  and  in  the  falvnion  ?»:■ 
of  his  church,  a.id  felting  up  the  cvi.rlai%Ji:g  kingdona  ot  'ah  w-jw. 
Hjw  rational,  woahy,  anc;  c*  ^^-ie:.;  ,-  r  ;vr;Ution  h  this  I  and 
fcow  excellent  a  bo;  k  Ji  the  B'  ?  .,  .•  i<in<  fo  much  beyond 
all  other  books  in  the  world  !  -^n^^  *u<  en  ■r-yica  are  htJC  of  itt 
being  indeed  a  divif  c  bock  !  &  book  thit  .be  grt.^t  Jehovah  has 
given  to  mankind  for  their  inftruciot:,  xvishout  which  wc  fhould 
fee  left  in  mifcrabledsrknefs  andconfi:fion  ! 

V(.  F;cm  what  ha*  been  (nd,  wc  ir^y  fee  the  gloriout  ma- 
jefty  and  power  of  God  in  this  arfair  of  rec?eikiption  :  efpecially  1$ 
God  gloriqus  in  power.  His  glorious  power  appears  in  uphold- 
ing hi?  church  for  fo  long  a  time,  and  carrying  On  this  work  ;  up* 
holding  it  oftentimes  when  it  was  but  as  a  little  fpark  of  fJie,  or  as 
fmokipg  flax,  in  which  the  fire  Was  almo/t  gone  out,  and  the  powcj? 
of  earth  and  hell  were  combined  to  dc/rroy  it.  Yet  God  lias  never 
fuffered  them  to  quench  it,  and  finally  will  bring  judgement  forth 
unto  viifioy.  God  glorifies  his  ftrength  in  his  church's  weaknefs  ; 
in  eaufing  his  people,  who  are  like  a  number  of  little  infants^finally 
to  triumph  ov&r  all  earth  and  hell ;  fo  that  they  (hould  tread  on  the 
lion  and  adder ;  the  young  lion  and  dragon  Ihall  they  trample  undee 
foot.  The  glorious  power  of  God  appears  in  conquering  bis  many 
and  mighty  enemies  by  that  perfon  who  was  once  an  infant  in  a 
manger,  and  appeared  as  a  poor,  weak,  defpifed  man.  He  conquers 
ihcm,  and  triumphs  over  tbera  in  their  own  *feapon,  the  crofs. 

The  glorious  majefty  of  God  appears  in  conquering  all  thofs 
mighty  enemies  of  thechurcb  one  age  after  another ;  in  conquer- 
ing Satin,  that  proud  and  ftrong  fpirit,  and  all  his  hellifh  hoft  ;  ia 
bringing  him  down  under  foot,  long  after  he  bad  vaunted  himfelf 
aspjod  of  this  world,and  wrhen  he  did  his  utmoft  to  fupporl  himfclf 
in  his  kingdom 

God's  power  glorioufly  appears  in  conquering  Satan  when  exal- 
ted in  that  ftrongell  and  mo^  potentH:athen  ktngdom  thai  ever  he 
had,  the  Roman  empire.  Chri<t,  our  Michael,  has  overcome  h;aci 
and  the  devil  was  caft  out,  and  there  was  found  no  more  place 
fps  him  in  heaven  }  but  he  was  caii  out  uolo  the  caitb^  aad  bis  ?q- 


a6t  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  y    of 

gtls  were  oaft  out  whh  him.  Again,  hit  poyrcr  glorioufly  appwn 
incunquering  him  ia  that  kiogdom  tirherein  hb  ptide,  aud  fubilcty, 
andcruciiy,  ;»b.,vc  «ll  appcari,  vje,  the  kiDgflom  ot  Anlichrift.  It 
glorioufly  appears  in  conquering  him  in  that  grcaieft  and  ftrongeft 
combinatioo  and  oppoiiiion  of  the  dcviJ  and  his  adhcrenli  ag-mfk 
Ghriftand  his  church,  jult  before  the  fall  of  Aniichrift,  whcreia 
fci»vifiblc  itngdor*:!  has  a  fatal  blowgivea  it,  on  which  a  univerfd 
downfall  of  it  jfollown  all  over  the  world. 

The  glcriou-j  power  of  God  appears  in  thuf  conquering  the  de- 
"    ''■■-■     V  h'xn  tender  foot,  t"mc after  time,  after  long  time 
r'^in  hitnfclf  to  his  utnaoft,  as  he  wai  once  o- 
;-  '  *5^i  i^omsn  empire,  after  he  had  been  mak- 

l''^it.  ^ "'  ^    'J  "''  f.hs  world,  ever  lince  the  build- 

lijg  of  f:'    e/  crthrowiDg  h.»  kingdom  more 

is.V.l}y  ./     '  i  or^    ^Qc  world,  after  he  had  again  ano- 

UiM  ont.  ,  :.^,  (jj  f«*'tgthcn  himfelf  to  hit  uimcft  for 

many  ag«,  ty  i- ..  ^^  yp  ihoVs  ivfo  great  kingdoms  of  Antichrift 
and  M^hoaict,  aa^  f>  cnablifh  hii  inicreft  in  the  Hcaihcn  world. 
Wc  have  iccn  hov  jfaefe  hingdoajt  of  God'*  enemies,  that,  before 
God  appears,  look  flrong,  as  iho*  it  wa*,?  impofTiblc  to  oYcnhrow 
them  J  yet,  time  after  sime,  wbea  God  appears,  they  fccm  to  mellt 
away,  as  the  fat  of  Iambi  before  the  fire,  and  are  driven  away  39 
the  chafF  before  the  whirl  wind  >  or  the  fmokc  out  of  the  chimney, 

Thofe  mighty  kingdoms  of  Aatichrift  and  Mahomet,  which 
have  made  fych  a  fsgurc  for  fo  many  ages  together,  and  have  tram- 
pled the  world  under  foet,  when  God  comes  to  appear, will  vanilh 
away  like  a  fludow,  and  will  as  it  were  diLppcar  of  ihcmfelves, 
and  come  to  nothing  as  the  darknefs  in  a  room  does,  when  the 
light  is  brought  in.  What  are  God's  enemies  in  his  hands  ?  How 
h  their  greatefl  ftrength  weaknefs  when  he  rifcs  up  !  and  bow  weak 
^ill  they  all  appear  together  at  the  day  of  judgement !  Thus  we 
may  apply  thofe  words  in  the  fong  of  Mofcs,  Exod.  xv.  6.  ''Thy 
^ight  hand,  O  Lord,  js  become  glorious  in  power:  thy  right  hand, 
O  Lord,  hath  daflaed  in  pcices  the  enemy."  i^ow  great  doth  the 
majefty  ofGod  appear  in  overturning  the  world  from  linic  to  time, 
to  accomplifh  his  dciigns,  and  atlaft  in  caufing  the  earth  and  hca- 
veni  to  flee  away,for  the  advancement  of  the  glory  of  bis  kingdom! 

yiL  Prom  what  has  been  faid,  we  may  fee  the  glorious  wifdom 
of  God.  It  fbows  the  wifdom  of  God  in  creating  the  world,  in  that 
he  has  created  it  for  fuch  an  excellent  ufe,  to  accomplilh  in  it  fo 
glorious  a  work.  And  it  ihow*  the  wifdom  of  divine  Providence, 
that  he  brings  fuch  great  good  out  of  fuch  great  evil,  in 
making  the  fall  and  ruin  of  mankind,  which  in  itfelf  it  fo 
forrowful  and  deplorable,  an  occafion  of  accomplifhing  fuch  « 
glorious  wosk  as  tbn  work  of  redemption,  and  of  crcding  fuch  9 

glorious 


the  Work  of  R  E  D  E  M  P  T  I  O  N.  191 

gloricui building, wbofc  top.fhould  reach  unto  heaven, and  of  bring- 
ing his  t\ct\  to  a  ftatc  oi  fuch  unfpcakabic  happincfi.  Howr  glo- 
lioui  doth  the  wifdom  of  Qod  appear  in  that  long  courfe  and  fcries 
of  great  chingci  in  thw  world,  in  bringing  fuch  order  out  of  con- 
fufion,  in  fofrufitating  the  devil,  and  fo  wonderfully  turning  all 
hU  moii  fubile  machinationi  to  hii  own  glory,  and  the  glory  of  his 
Son  Jcfui  Chrill,  and  in  c^ufir.-g  the  greaieft  worka  of  Satan,  thofe 
in  which  he  has  moft  gloriticd  hinatcU,  to  be  wholly  turned  into  oc- 
cafioni  of  fo  oauch  the  more  gloiious  triumph  of  hii  Son  JcfuiCbrif^  I 
Huw  wonderful  is  the  wifdom  of  God,  in  bringing  all  fuch  maDi- 
fold  and  various  changes  and  overturning!  in  the  world  to  fuch  a 
glo.'iouf  period  atlaft,  and  in  fo  directing  all  the  whccli  of  provi- 
dence by  his  fkilful  hand,  that  every  one  of  them  confpire»,  as  the 
manifold  wheels  of  a  moA  curious  machine,  at  h(l  to  iUike  out 
fuch  an  excellent  iffue,  fuch  a  manifeftation  of  the  divine  glory, 
fuch  happinefs  to  hii  people,  and  fuch  a  glorious  and  svcrlaf^ing 
kingdom  of   his  Son  I 

VHl.  From  what  has  been  faid,  we  may  fee  the  ftaf^iHty  of 
God's  mercy  a^jd  f^ithfuloefs  to  his  people  ;  how  he  never  forfakeo 
his  inheritance,  and  remembers  his  covenanr  to  them  throughout  aH 
generations.  Now  we  may  fee  what  rcafon  there  was  for  the  words 
of  the  tert,  "  The  moth  fljall  eat  them  up  like  a  garment,  and  the 
worm  ihall  eat  them  like  wool  ;  but  my  lighteoufnefs  (hall  endure 
for  ef  er  and  ever,  and  my  falvation  from  generation  to  generation." 
^ow  we  may  fee  abundant  reafon  for  that  name  of  God  which  he 
reveals  to  Mofet.  Exod.  iii.  14.  **  And  God  faid  unto  Mofes» 
2  em  that  I  am  :"  i.e.  I  am  the  fame  that  I  was  when  I  entered 
iiito  covenanr  with  Abraham,  Ksac,  and  Jacob,  and  ever  (fcall  be^ 
the  fsmc  :  I  (hall  keep  covenant  for  ever  :  I  am  felf  fufficient, 
all'fufficient,    and  immutabTe. 

Now  we  may  fee  the  trarh  of  that,  Pfal.  xtxvi.  5:.  6.  *«  Thy 
ftcrcy,  O  Lord,  is  ia  the  heavens  ;  and  thy  faiihfulnefs  rcacheth 
unto  the  clouds.  T^y  righteoufnef*  is  like  the  great  mountains  ; 
thy  judgcmenij  are  a  great  deep.*'  If  we  confider  what  has  been 
faid,  we  need  not  wonf^er  that  the  Pf^lroiA,  in  the  I3*6h  Pfalm.fo 
fo  often  repeats  this.  For  hit  mercy  tndartth  for  ever  ;  as  if  he 
were  in  an  ccftafy  at  the  confidcraticn  ot  the  perpetuity  of  God'» 
mercy  to  his  church,  ard  delighted  to  think  of  it,  and  knew  not 
how  but  conti!  ually  to  exprcfs  it  Let  us  with  IJ  e  pleafure  and 
joy  celebrate  the  everla/ling  duration  of  Gods  mercy  and  faithful* 
ncfs  to  his  church  and  people,  and  let  us  be  comforted  by  it  under 
the  prefent  dark  citcumftances  of  the  chu'-ch  of  Ood,  and  all  the 
uproar  and  confufion*  that  ^re  in  the  world  ;  and  all  the  threat* 
inings  of  the  church's  enemies.  Let  us  take  encnuragemeni  car- 
Bci^ly  to  pr^y  fur  thofe  glorious  things  which  God  has  promifcd 
«o  acco3ipli&  foi  hia  church,  XI. 


«94  A    H  I  S  T  O  R  T  of 

IX.  Hence  we  may  learn  how  happy  a  focieiy  ihe  chuwh  oi 
Chnft  is.  For  all  thu  great  woik  is  for  thccn.  Cbtxk  uadtitpok 
it  for  their  fak«i,  and  for  their  fakes  he  carriei  it  on,  from  the  fall 
O'  man  to  the  end  ot  ihc  world  ;  it  is  becaufc  he  hai  loved  them 
with  an  cverlafting  love  Far  their  fakes  he  overturns  fTstts  and 
kingdomf.  For  ibcir  f  ke«  he  ilidkes  hcaven  and  caitb.  He  gives 
Boen  for  thcOT,  and  people  tor  their  liie^  Since  ihcy  hsve  been  pre- 
cious in  God'*  fight,  they  h^ve  been  fiunorab'c  ;  and  therefore  he 
lirft  g'vns  the  bljod  of  hii^owa  Sjn  to  th^  m,and  then, for  fheir  f^kci* 
givei  the  bio  d  of  all  their  cnetnic«,»  many  ih'  ufandi  aud  iti->II?tons* 
«ii  f»at  oni  that  Adnd  in  the^r  w*y,  as  a  f^cr.fi:e  lo  their  good. 

For  theirfakcs  he  made  the  world,  and  for  their  f  kes  he  will 
defiroy  it  :  for  their  f«ke»  he  built  heaven,  and  for  their  fakes  he 
makes  bis  angeia  miniftnog  fpirits  Tnerefore  the  Apoftlc  f^ys  at 
he  does,  i  Gor.  iti,  21.  &c.  "  All  thing*  are  yours ;  whether  Ptul, 
orApollo.%  or  Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  Hfe,  or  death,  or  ihings  prc- 
icnt,  or  things  to  come  ;  all  are  yours."  How  bleflcd  is  this  peoplfi 
who  arc  redeemed  from  among  men,  ard  are  the  fir.'^  fruits  unto 
God,  and  to  the  Lamb  ;  who  have  G^d  in  all  ages  for  their  pro-, 
t«ciion  and  help  !  Dcut.  xjtxiii.  29  *'  H  ppy  art  thou,  O  *'  If- 
facl :  who  ii  like  unto  thee,  O  pe  .pie  favcd  by  the  Lord,  the  fhield 
of  thy  htlp,  and  who  is  the  f  word  thv  excellency  !  and  thine  ene. 
mies  fhall  be  found  liari  unto  thee^  and  thou  ib^^t  tread  upon  .  their 
high  places." 

Let  who  will  prevail  now,  let  the  enemies  of  the  church  exalt 
themfclvcs  as  much  as  they  will,  tbefe  are  the  people  thai  ikall  fi- 
nally prevail.  Toe  laft  kingdom  (ball  finally  be  theirs  ;  the  king- 
dom djsil  finally  be  given  into  their  hands,  and  ihali  not  be  left  to 
other  people.  We  haye  fccn  what  a  LlefTed  iffue  things  fhall  finally 
be  brought  to  as  to  them,  and  what  glory  they  fhall  arrive  ai,  and 
remain  in  poffelfion  of,  for  ever  and  ever,  after  all  the  kingdom* 
of  the  world  are  come  to  an  end,  and  the  earth  is  removed,  and 
and  the  mountains  are  carried  into  the  depth  of  the  fea,  or  where 
the  feawas,  anrj  this  lower  earth  OnA\  all  be  diitolved.  O  happy 
people,  and  blcfTr  J  focicty  !  Well  may  they  fpcnd  an  eternity  in 
praifes  and  hallaiuj  lai  to  him  who  loved  them  from  eternity,  and 
will  love  them  to  eternity- 

X.  And,  laftly,  hence  all  wicked  men,  all  that  are  in  a  Chrift- 
lefa  condition,  may  fee  there  exceeding  mifery.  You  that  are 
fuch,  whoever  you  are,  you  arc  ihofe  who  hsve  no  part  nor  lot  in 
this  matter.  Yju  are  never  the  bftter  for  any  of  thofe  thing! 
of  which  you  have  heard  :  yea,  your  guilt  is  but  fo  much  the  grea- 
ter, and  the  mifery  you  are  crpofcd  to  fo  much  the  more  dread- 
ful You  arc  fomc  of  that  fort,  agaiaft  whom  God,  in  the  progrcft 
of  thd  wot k.cxcrcifes  fo  much  manifcft  wrath  j  foase  of  thofe  euc- 

mJC§ 


Oie  Work  of  REDEMPTION,  s^f 

mlei  who  are  lUbleto  b:  made  Cbrift'i  footflool,  and  to  be  rtUd 
with  a  rod  oT  iton,  and  to  be  daChed  in  piece*.  You  are  fome  at 
the  feed  of  the  ferpcnt,  ro  bruift  the  head  pf  which  ii  one  great  dc» 
ffgn  of  all  thit  work.  Whatever  gV^rioui  thingi  God  accoiu^ 
Uikei  for  bii  chtircb,.  if  you  continue  ia  the  i^ate  you  are  now  in, 
they  will  not  be  glorious  to  you.  The  mo(^  glorioui  timei  of  the 
church  are  alwayi  She  moil  difmai  times  of  the  wkked  and  impent- 

tent.    This  wt  arc  taugbi  in  If.  Ixvi.   14. And  io  wc  fjid, 

\irhereever  glotiojt  thing!  are  foretold  coneeroing  the  church, 
there  terrible  things  are  foretold  coocernitg^he  wiclicd^ite  enemiee* 
And  fo  it  ever  has  been  in  hdt ;  ia  all  remarkable  delivcraj.cet 
wrought  for  the  church,  there  has  been  alfo  a  remarkaUe  czeouLioa 
of  wfath  on  its  eBcmlej.  So  irwas  when  God  delivered  the  ehii^ 
drea  of  Ifrael  out  of  Egypt;  at  the  fame  time  he  remarkably  pour- 
ed out  his  wrath  on  .Pharaoh  a:}d  the  £gyptAioi.  So  whca  he 
brought  them  into  Canaan  by  Jofhua,  and  gave  thei&  that  good 
land  he  remarkably  executed  wrath  upon  the  Canaanites.  So  whea 
they  were  delJvetcd^out  ofthe  Babylonifli  captivity,  fgnal  ven- 
geance was  infii^led  oo  the  Babylonians.  So  when  the  G«:atilct 
were  called,  and  the  ele£l  of  Ood  were  faved  by  the  preach^tng  of 
the  apodles,  Jerufalem  and  the  perfecutlng  Jewt  were  dcAroyed  ia 
a  mod  awful  manner.  1  might  obferve  the  fasze  concerning  the 
glory  accomplilkcd  to  the  church  in  the  days  of  Con^laatinc,  at 
the  overthrow  of  Satan's  viHble  kingdom  in  the  downfall  of  Anti- 
chrift,  and  at  the  day  of  judgement,  la  all  thefe  inftances,  and 
efpecially  in  the  laft,  there  have  been,  o?  will  b«,  exbib  ited  moft 
awful  tokens  of  the  diviae  wrtth  agasnft  the  wicked.  And  to  this 
dafs  of  men  youtieloag; 

You  are  indeed  fome  of  thut  fort  that  God  wiR  make  ufe  cfia 
riiir  affair  ;  but  it  wiil  be  for  the  glory  of  his  juflicc,  and  not  of  hU 
mercy.  You  are  fome  of  thofetcamieaof  God  who  are  referred 
for  the  triumph  of  ChriA't  giorious  power  in  overcoming  and? 
punifhing  them.  You  are  fooae  of  that  foil  that  (ball  be  confam- 
ed  with  this  accurfcd  world  after  the  day  of  jud|geaKnt,  vrhca 
Chrift  and  his  church  fhsll  triumphantfy  and  gldrk>uny  afcead-to 
heaven. 

Therefore  \tv  ill  that  arc  in  a  CfcriM^fi  coadttioa  aaongft  ut 
ferioufly  confidcr  thtfe  things,  and  net  b?  like  the  t'opliih  people 
©f  the  old  world,  who  would  not  take  warning,  Kfecn  Noah  told, 
them,  that  the  Lord  was  about  to  bring  a  Soodof  waters  tpon  the. 
earth ;  or  like  the  people  of  Sodom,who  would  cot,fcgard,vrhcaLot^ 
told  them  that  Qod  would  dcftroy  that  city,  ted  would  nott 
flee  from  the  wruliio  couie,  SQd  fo were  coaJutncd  ia  thtt  tcri^ble 
deflrudlfpn.,  O  a 


;f^6  AHISTORYcf 

1'  iroiiM  eoaelude  ay  whole  difcourfc  oa  thii  fubjea,  in  words 
likftborciaihff  hft  of  the  RcveUtioo  :  •'  Tbefc  fayings  arc 
#ait)hful  tad  true,  ud  bleffcd  it  he  tb&t  ktcpeth  thefe  faylngt.  Be- 
hoUi,  Chrift  eofficth  quickly,  aod  hit  reward  ii  with  him,  to  reo^ 
der  toetrery  mn  aecordiof  ai  hit  vrork  (hzll  be.  And  he  that  x» 
unjtift,  (hall  be  uajuft  Aill ;  and  he  that  is  filthy,  ihall  be  filthy 
Hill^i  aod  be  that  ii  holy,  (hall  be  holy  ftill,  Blcffed  are  they  that 
do  hit  commaodmentt,  that  they  may  hare  right  to  t^.c  tree  of  life, 
sad  ^uay  eater  in  through  ^he  gatei  into  the  city  :  for  without  arc 
dogS).  and  forcereri,  tad  wboreiaoDgeri,  aod  aaurdereri,  and  idoI« 
aten,  and  frhofoeverlovetfaandaaketh  alie.  He  that  tefiifieth 
thefe  thing!,  faith»  Surely  I  come  quickly.  Amen  ;  even  fo  coa&e 
Lordjcfui/: 

FINIS. 


ERRATA, 

fi^t  12,  Ihe  37,  for  (t,  read  //.  P.  i6, 1.  $,  after  hiavtnt,  r» 
<icc/.  P.  45,1.  29,  dcIcAr.  P.  48.  I  4,  from  bottom^  r.  that, 
p.  56,  i.26,  r.  Shuhits — 1,  27,  r.  Keturah,  P  58  J.  i.  for  an  r, 
tfad*.  P.  65.  after  tvai,  r.  lo.  p.  75, 1.  2.  for  «»(f#r,  r.  «/— I.  9, 
for  fit,  f*  Jit'  P.  88, 1.  9,  r.  2.  CAr«.  P.  92,  laftlinc,  r.  >Ar«. 
P.  99,  !.I4I.  hiaveniy.  P.  113, 1.  38,  for  A«,  r.  it*  P.  115,  lafl: 
line,  r.  fivtnty,  P,  116,  3d  line  froni  bot.  for  toll  r.  rx7/i  P,  117, 
2d  I.  from  bot.  for  book  r.  /wo  ^t^i^*.  P.  219, 1.  27.  for  ivArn  r,- 
fwhtkiT'^^for  ethfrt  r,  otbtr.  P.  120,  I.  23,  for /tiTJtf  r.  timtSm 
P.  137, 1.  9,  for  u»<j/r' 'u;rr«,  P.  150, 1,29,  ior  tf/r,  «;.  P.  155 
L  ^0,(01  ftocd  t,  Jliopid,  P.  IS7»  ^  ^4'  '-  '^  *''^-  ^'  '*^J*  '•  *^» 
lor  eur  r^your,  P.  167, 1.  9.  for  tfft^sdr.  afidcd.  P.  17  a,  !» 
^^t^  in  bringing,  P.  173,  dele  the  whole  firA  line — I.  28,  for 
frmr,  for.  P.  174,1.  36,  for«a</r.  c«.  P.  I75#  I.  4»  fot  i7# 
after  W0r/<i,  r.  &«/.  P  185,  \.  15,  after  complying  r.ruitk.- 
P,  190, 1.  29,  for  Ufi  r.  /r4^.  P.  1^9,  U  26,  for  not  r,  but,  P« 
204, 1.  7,  r,  »«|  aou;,  ?.  216, 1,  24,  for  it  r.  it.  f.  zi-j,  lafi 
line,  r.  trouhU,  P,  220, 1.  29^  for  cmtny  r.  country,  P.  «22, 5« , 
Sj,  r.  C^nflantint  tht gnat-^l,  4?,  after  tff  r.  England.  P.  223,^ 
8i  30,  r  ttrribh.  P  232/I.  32,  ddecrr.  P  235, 1:  23,  r.  «»- 
grattftil,  P,  20?,  1.  22,r.  cftks  truth,  of  thiChrifticn  rtligionl, 
P.  243,  Ir  to,  fo.  iWjfA  r.  thought,  P.  243, 1, 18,  ry^r.  P.  2,46, 
i.  16,  forfftcw^A  r.  iir«>irg'A— !.  «2,  lor  c^ft^*taji,  P,'.256,l, 
;32,  for  dljpinfationi  r.  difptrfisnt.  P.  259, 1.  16^  r.  ccifih^,  P» 
>6a,  L  35,  for  fwf  ri  ^wr.    P.  g^Of !.  2«,  r#  confijiing^ 


AD7ERT  13  E  MENT» 

THE  late  learned  and  ingenious  Mr.  Edwards 
left  in  M3.  fevcral  hundred  fermons  on  doc- 
trinal and  praftical  fubjeft?,  explications  of  above 
500  texts  of  fcripture,and  effays  on  the  truth  andex- 
cellency  of  the  Chriftlan  religion,  the  harmony  of 
the  Old  and  NewTeftatnent,  the  divinity-  of  Chrift^ 
the  neceffity  and  r eaibnablenefs  of  atonement  and 
of  the  imputation  of  merit,  the  eternity  of  hcll- 
torments,  the  foreknowledge  of  God,  prcdeftinati- 
on  univerfal  and  particular  redemption,  efficacious 
grace,  juftification,  perliverance,  &c.  Though  he 
had  no  defign  to  publifli  thefe  in  the  form  in  which 
he  left  them,  yet,  in  the  opinion  of  good  judges  in 
America  who  have  perufed  them,  they  contain  a 
variety  of  new  and  ftriking  fentiments,  oh  many 
important  and  difficult  fubjecls,  which  might  com* 
municate  to  the  Chriftian  world  much  ufeful  in- 
ftruclion.  When  writers  excel  only  in  Q-.yle  and 
compofition,  they  can  derive  little  honour,  and  the 
public  can  reap  fmall  improvement,  from  the  prin- 
ting their  ioofe  unfinifhed  papers  ;  but  important 
original  thoughts,  tho*  not  accurately  methodized, 
nor  adorned  with  the  beauties  of  eloquence,  will 
merit  being  prcierved  from  oblivion.  If  (b  much 
of  the  authors  penetration  and  judgement  appear 
in  the  preceding  fheets,written  about  2oyears before 
his  death,  much  more  may  be  exp§v2:ed  from  com- 
pofitionsin  a  period,  when  years,  ftudy  and  expe- 
rience, had  greatly  increafed  his  ftock  of  knowledge. 
Whether  the  pubiilher  ihall  favour  the  world  with 
any  more  of  thefe  valuable  remiins,  will  proba* 
bably  in  a  good  meafure  depend  on  the  encouraje- 
ment  this  work  meets  v/ith. 


Date  Due 

Hr  27  » 

^ 

'% 


